compunction
9 synonyms for compunction, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A brief pang of guilt or mild regret about something you have done.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Etymology
Came into English via 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- plus pungere ("to prick").
Full origin of compunction →