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Contrition vs Compunction - What's the difference?

contrition | compunction |

Compunction is a synonym of contrition.



As nouns the difference between contrition and compunction

is that contrition is the state of being contrite; sincere penitence or remorse while compunction is a pricking of conscience or a feeling of regret, especially one which is slight or fleeting.

contrition

Noun

(-)
  • The state of being contrite; sincere penitence or remorse.
  • The act of grinding or rubbing to powder; attrition; friction; rubbing.
  • Synonyms

    * See also

    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