what does compunction mean

Compunction means a feeling of guilt or moral unease, especially when you think about doing something wrong or after you’ve done it.

Plain-English meaning

• It’s that pang in your conscience that says, “I shouldn’t do this” or “I shouldn’t have done that.”

• Often used in negative form: “He lied without compunction” = he felt no guilt at all.

More precise definitions

• Anxiety or distress that comes from awareness of guilt.

• A twinge of misgiving or moral scruple about an action.

• A slight or fleeting feeling of regret or remorse.

Examples in sentences

• “She spent the money without compunction.” (She didn’t feel guilty.)

• “He felt a sudden compunction after shouting at his friend.” (He felt a pang of remorse.)

Nuance vs. similar words

• Regret : can be neutral (“I regret not going”).
• Remorse : deep, often long-lasting guilt.
• Compunction : often a quick pang or twinge of conscience, especially at the moment of acting or right after.

Tiny story:
He hit “send” on the angry email, then felt a sharp compunction and wished he could pull it back. That brief sting in his conscience is compunction.

TL;DR: Compunction is a brief but sharp feeling of guilt or moral doubt about doing something, or having done something, you feel is wrong.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.