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Compunction vs Opprobrium - What's the difference?

compunction | opprobrium |

As nouns the difference between compunction and opprobrium

is that compunction is a pricking of conscience or a feeling of regret, especially one which is slight or fleeting while opprobrium is disgrace arising from exceedingly shameful conduct; ignominy.

compunction

English

Noun

(en noun)
  • A pricking of conscience or a feeling of regret, especially one which is slight or fleeting.
  • * :
    • [H]e would have had no compunction whatever in flinging him out of the highest window in Venice into the deepest water of the city.
  • * 1897 , , Dracula , ch. 3:
    • I felt no compunction in doing so, for under the circumstances I felt that I should protect myself in every way I could.
  • * 1920 , , Women in Love , ch. 8:
    • But he felt, later, a little compunction . He had been violent, cruel with poor Hermione. He wanted to recompense her, to make it up.
  • * 2003 February 16, Blaine Greteman, " No Peace Dividend," Time :
    • As for average U.S. consumers, they've shown little compunction about buying diamonds that fund bloody militias in Africa.

    Synonyms

    * regret, remorse, qualm * See also

    See also

    * contrition * penitence, penance * guilt

    opprobrium

    English

    Noun

  • Disgrace arising from exceedingly shameful conduct; ignominy.
  • Scornful reproach or contempt
    • Don't give him a term of opprobrium .
  • A cause of shame or disgrace.

    • Quotations

    * (English Citations of "opprobrium")

    Synonyms

    * (scornful reproach) blame, castigation, censure, defamation, derision, invective, libel, reproach, revilement, scolding, signifying, tirade, upbraiding, vilification, vituperation * (cause of shame or disgrace) curse