conscience
6 synonyms for conscience, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — An inner sense of right and wrong that shapes a person's behavior and feelings about their own actions.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
scruples
morals
moral sense
principles
moral compass
How to use conscience
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
a clear conscience
a guilty conscience
in good conscience
Etymology
From Old French "conscience," from Latin "conscientia," meaning "knowledge within oneself," from "com-" ("together") and "scire" ("to know").
Full origin of conscience →Frequently asked questions
What does “conscience” mean?
The word “conscience” means an inner sense of right and wrong that shapes a person's behavior and feelings about their own actions. In plain terms, the inner voice that tells you whether something you did was right or wrong.
How do you pronounce “conscience”?
“Conscience” is pronounced KON-shuhns (/ˈkɑn.ʃəns/ in IPA).
How do you use “conscience” in a sentence?
Here is “conscience” used in a sentence: “His conscience wouldn't let him keep the extra change the cashier gave him.”
What part of speech is “conscience”?
“Conscience” is a noun.
Where does the word “conscience” come from?
The word “conscience” comes from Latin. From Old French "conscience," from Latin "conscientia," meaning "knowledge within oneself," from "com-" ("together") and "scire" ("to know").
Is “conscience” a common word?
“Conscience” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
What is the difference between 'conscience' and 'consciousness'?
Conscience is your inner sense of right and wrong that guides your behaviour and how you feel about your actions. Consciousness is the state of being awake and aware of your surroundings and thoughts. Despite the similar spelling, they refer to very different things.
What is the difference between 'conscience' and 'conscious'?
'Conscience' is a noun naming your inner sense of right and wrong, while 'conscious' is an adjective meaning awake, aware, or deliberate. You act against your conscience, but you make a conscious decision.
