- A strong uneasiness caused by a sense of guilt. See synonyms at penitence.
- A sting of conscience or a pang of doubt aroused by wrongdoing or the prospect of wrongdoing. See synonyms at qualm.
[Middle English compunccioun, from Old French componction, from Late Latin compūnctiō, compūnctiōn-, puncture, sting of conscience, from Latin compūnctus, past participle of compungere, to sting : com-, intensive pref.; see com- + pungere, to prick.]
compunctious com·punc'tious (-shəs) adj.compunctiously com·punc'tious·ly adv.





