COMPUNCTIONS Synonyms: 39 Similar and Opposite Words

compunctions

noun

plural of compunction

as in doubts

an uneasy feeling about the rightness of what one is doing or going to do throughout her school years she cheated without compunction

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of compunctions Johnson clearly felt no such compunctions. — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 4 June 2026 Russia and Ukraine show no compunctions about killing the civilians of their enemy. — Oded J K Faran, Oc Register, 21 Oct. 2025 The boundaries of the world are delineated neatly by your compunctions. — Matthew Shen Goodman, Harpers Magazine, 19 Sep. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for compunctions

Noun

Even if Shipilova's death is an isolated incident, Russia's history of hiding information related to sensitive matters could leave many outside observers with doubts, Hoffman said.

— Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 6 Oct. 2026
Messi’s quiet reserve, so at odds with Maradona’s defiant swagger, fueled doubts about his patriotism.

— ABC News, ABC News, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of doubts

Noun

The warm and charismatic straight-shooter, who has clocked 20 years in the biz, has no qualms with exposing the inner workings of what can be a highly secretive industry.

— Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 30 Sep. 2026
Which is why Pedroza has no qualms about putting the game in Thomas’ hands.

— Caleb Otte, Los Angeles Times, 27 Sep. 2026

Definition of qualms

Noun

According to the report, the two commissioners questioned the legality of some of the decisions, but Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar disregarded their objections.

— ABC News, ABC News, 2 Oct. 2026
But such a decision may not be based on a school district’s objections to the ideas expressed in the books.

— Susan Farrell, The Conversation, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of objections

Noun

Spreadsheets existed in 2006, but here they are kept, like everyone’s shame and scruples, firmly out of sight.

— Justin Chang, New Yorker, 25 Sep. 2026
Hilton rejects the argument floated by some of his former colleagues that his scruples became a casualty of his ambition.

— Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of scruples

Noun

Chief Justice John Roberts was one of several justices whose questions suggested misgivings about aspects of each side's position.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 6 Oct. 2026
But the new direction caused misgivings for some conservative supporters of the institution, such as Graves, who joined the regents as one of the three Republican congressional appointees in 2023.

— Alec MacGillis, ProPublica, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of misgivings

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compunction

compunctions

compunctious

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“Compunctions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/compunctions. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of compunctions

noun

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