compunction

Noun

Hard difficulty

What does “compunction” mean?

noun.a feeling of guilt or moral scruple that prevents or follows the doing of something bad.

SAT Usage

It often appears in contexts related to ethical dilemmas, personal reflection, or moral conflicts. It emphasizes a deep-seated sense of remorse or ethical hesitation, highlighting the emotional weight of one's actions rather than just regret, which can be more general and less tied to moral considerations.

Common Confusions

Compunction implies a deep moral guilt that follows wrongdoing, while regret usually suggests a more general feeling of sadness or disappointment about a past action without the ethical implications.

Do not choose compunction if the context emphasizes indifference or lack of remorse rather than a feeling of guilt or moral scruple that prevents or follows the doing of something bad.

Example Sentences

He felt no compunction about cutting the project without warning.
His compunction toward the decision was clear from his expression.

Word Parts: How to Remember “compunction”

Break “compunction” into its parts: co- (together, with). Knowing roots like these helps you decode unfamiliar SAT vocabulary.

Prefix: co- together, with (Latin)

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