Skip to the word

Added 9 October 2026

compunction

/kəmˈpʌŋk.ʃən/ noun

In Latin: compunctio Wiktionary

noun Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about compunction at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

A feeling of deep regret (usually for some misdeed).

Origin

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”).

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

Back to today's word