Standard Lemma guide
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
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noun
A pricking of conscience or a feeling of regret, especially one which is slight or fleeting.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: countable, uncountable
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: qualm, regret, remorse, agenbite, rue, ruth, compunction, contrition, guilt, penitence, repentance, self-reproach, sorriness
Antonyms: none provided
noun
a feeling of deep regret (usually for some misdeed)
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: remorse, self-reproach
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: sorrow, regret, rue, ruefulness
Narrower terms: guilt, guilty conscience, guilt feelings, guilt trip, repentance, penitence, penance
History
From Middle English compunccion, borrowed from Old French compunction, from Late Latin compunctionem (“a pricking”), from Latin compunctus, the past participle of compungere (“to severely prick”), from com- + pungere (“to prick”).
Across languages
40 source translations are retained for this English entry.
