compunction

Definitions

com- (thoroughly) + punct (prick) + -ion (state) = "the state of being thoroughly pricked." Guilt was imagined as a physical sting: a wrong deed leaves your conscience feeling pricked, as if jabbed by a needle. We usually meet it negatively — without compunction means without a single prick of conscience.

Common Collocations

• 1.without compunction毫无愧疚
• 2.feel compunction感到内疚
• 3.no compunction about对……毫无愧疚
• 4.a twinge of compunction一丝愧疚

Example Sentences

• 1.

  He fired half the staff without the slightest compunction.

• 2.

  She felt a twinge of compunction about lying to her friend.

• 3.

  They took the money with no compunction whatsoever.