Word of the Day - 10/18/25
compunction
/kəm'pəŋkʃən/(n.): a feeling of deep regret (usually for some misdeed)
He felt no compunction about leaving his old life behind to start fresh.
Word Origin
The word 'compunction' originates from Late Latin 'compunctio', which in turn comes from the Latin verb 'compungere', meaning 'to prick, sting, or trouble'. The word can be broken down into 'com-' (an intensive prefix) and 'pungere' (to prick or sting). The sense of being 'pricked' or 'stung' by one's conscience gives rise to the meaning of a feeling of uneasiness or anxiety due to regret.
Words with similar origins include 'pungent', from Latin 'pungens' (pricking, sharp), referring to a strong, sharp smell or taste; 'puncture', from Latin 'punctus' (a pricking), meaning to make a hole with a sharp object; 'point', ultimately derived from Latin 'punctus'; and 'poignant', from Old French 'poignant' (pricking, sharp), describing something that evokes a keen sense of sadness or regret.