as in doubt
an uneasy feeling about the rightness of what one is doing or going to do
throughout her school years she cheated without compunction
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of compunction
People with elevated psychopathic traits lie—constantly, intentionally, with great skill, and without compunction.
—
Gautam Mukunda, Forbes, 29 Oct. 2024
And if the writers are true to Tolkien, our heroes will have no compunctions about killing many, many, many orcs.
—Caitlin Penzeymoog, Vox, 7 Oct. 2024
Calhoun belonged to a generation of scientists who had no compunctions about straying from their disciplinary lane.
—Ben Goldfarb, Scientific American, 17 Sep. 2024
But what survives most of all is the film’s utter ruthlessness—its lack of compunction about immolating an elevator full of partygoers or bumping off its most sympathetic character in a fiery final stretch.
—The New Yorker, 2 Aug. 2024
See All Example Sentences for compunction
Gautam Mukunda, Forbes, 29 Oct. 2024
And if the writers are true to Tolkien, our heroes will have no compunctions about killing many, many, many orcs.
—Caitlin Penzeymoog, Vox, 7 Oct. 2024
Calhoun belonged to a generation of scientists who had no compunctions about straying from their disciplinary lane.
—Ben Goldfarb, Scientific American, 17 Sep. 2024
But what survives most of all is the film’s utter ruthlessness—its lack of compunction about immolating an elevator full of partygoers or bumping off its most sympathetic character in a fiery final stretch.
—The New Yorker, 2 Aug. 2024
See All Example Sentences for compunction
Recent Examples of Synonyms for compunction
Noun
-
There’s little doubt that Ohtani will be back in the 2026 WBC with the Japanese team that is ranked first in the world.—
Barry M. Bloom,
Sportico.com,
7 Mar. 2025
-
There's little doubt that AI will play an increasingly more prominent role in employee engagement, well-being and development.—
Kevin Korte,
Forbes,
7 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Leon Del Forno: Yes, considering there are fewer examples of creative directors with long tenures, and brands and groups now have fewer scruples about changing creative directors.—
Joelle Diderich,
WWD,
4 Mar. 2025
-
Waller — The Viola Davis Suicide Squad and Peacemaker spinoff about the espionage director without scruples remains in the works despite a bumpy development road impacted by the strikes.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
24 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Inability to make eye contact could be interpreted as guilt or shame, while facial expressions contrary to the tone of the proceedings could be seen as cold or lacking remorse.—
Alex Brizee,
Idaho Statesman,
5 Mar. 2025
-
In an email following the discussions, Cox allegedly confirmed that King expressed remorse and apologized after confirming the accusations.—
Esther Kang,
People.com,
26 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Multiple speakers were also allowed to accuse Israel of carrying out a genocide, also with no objection from Lauber.—
Rachel Wolf,
Fox News,
27 Feb. 2025
-
His nomination to become the nation’s 26th Health and Human Services Secretary was met with considerable objection from the medical community.—
Brian Niemietz,
New York Daily News,
27 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Many Republicans have now expressed their qualms about cutting the program too deeply amid significant backlash, and a key committee chairman said this week that one leading policy idea — per capita caps — is moving toward the back burner.—
Caitlin Owens,
Axios,
28 Feb. 2025
-
Despite his qualms, Trump was unable to counter the concerted drive by public-health officials to impose social restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic, such as closing the schools—surely one of the most glaring exercises in untrammeled bureaucratic power in this country’s history.—
Andrew Cockburn,
Harper's Magazine,
19 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Professionals offer advice on the best ways to maintain your momentum once mid-project regret syndrome sets in.—
Kristine Gill,
Better Homes & Gardens,
2 Mar. 2025
-
For the past year, the Brooklyn Center for Theater Research—a theatrical collective with downtown cool—has been immersed in an evolving production of Uncle Vanya, Anton Chekhov’s timeless study of regret, inertia and longing.—
Darryn King,
Forbes,
2 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Casey Anthony’s guilt is essentially settled fact among true crime fans.—
Aja Romano,
Vox,
4 Mar. 2025
-
Even those who retain their jobs may deal with survivor’s guilt or anxiety over future job cuts.—
Jack Kelly,
Forbes,
4 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Compunction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/compunction. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share