YOUR VOCABULARY, ONE WORD AT A TIME

compunction

Noun

IPA /kəmˈpʌŋkʃn/

Understand it. Say it. Use it.

UNDERSTAND THE WORD

Meaning in plain English

A feeling of guilt or unease that makes you hesitate about doing something you believe might be wrong.

SAY IT ALOUD

Pronunciation

compunction/kəmˈpʌŋkʃn/

PICTURE THE IDEA

See the meaning

Follow the idea

You consider taking more than your share
You feel guilty about the choice
The feeling makes you hesitate

Compunction is guilt or unease about doing something that may be wrong.

SEE IT IN EVERYDAY ENGLISH

Examples in context

Read the examples aloud. Notice how the word fits the sentence, then think of a situation of your own.

He took the last slice of cake without any compunction.
She felt no compunction about rejecting work that failed basic standards.

MAKE IT STICK

Quick word quiz

Try the question without looking back, then write a sentence of your own. You can retry as often as you like.

Can you recall the word?

Complete the example using the word from this lesson.

He took the last slice of cake without any ________.

Show the answer

compunction — A feeling of guilt or unease that makes you hesitate about doing something you believe might be wrong.

Try your own sentence (optional)

Make it yours

Write one sentence using “compunction” about your own life.

Your sentence (optional)

Check your sentence

Does your sentence match this meaning?

A feeling of guilt or unease that makes you hesitate about doing something you believe might be wrong.

Compare: He took the last slice of cake without any compunction.

Check the spelling and how the word fits the sentence. Your example can be different.

Self-review only. Your sentence is not automatically marked, saved or submitted.

This quiz is for practice. To save lesson completion on this device, complete the checks in the app.

Word origin

From Latin compunctio, related to compungere, meaning prick sharply.

Did you know?

No compunction and without compunction highlight the absence of guilt or hesitation.

Explore related words

Open a word’s lesson when available, or explore entries that use the related term.

Make the word your own

Say the word aloud and read an example sentence.
Write a new sentence about something familiar to you.
Cover the meaning and try explaining the word in your own words.

Continue with the app’s practice check, then try a sentence of your own to mark this word complete.

Practise this word in the app

Completion and saved words stay in this browser on this device.