Compulsion vs. Compunction — What's the Difference?

The action or state of forcing or being forced to do something; constraint

A feeling of guilt or moral scruple that prevents or follows the doing of something bad

An irresistible urge to behave in a certain way

A strong uneasiness caused by a sense of guilt

The act of compelling.

A sting of conscience or a pang of doubt aroused by wrongdoing or the prospect of wrongdoing

The state of being compelled.

A pricking of conscience or a feeling of regret, especially one which is slight or fleeting.

An irresistible impulse to act, regardless of the rationality of the motivation

A pricking; stimulation.

(Psychiatry) An act or ritual that a person feels compelled to perform repeatedly, often to reduce the distress caused by an obsession.

A picking of heart; poignant grief proceeding from a sense of guilt or consciousness of causing pain; the sting of conscience.

An irrational need or irresistible urge to perform some action, often despite negative consequences.

A feeling of deep regret (usually for some misdeed)

The use of authority, influence, or other power to force (compel) a person or persons to act.

The lawful use of violence (i.e. by the administration).

The act of compelling, or the state of being compelled; the act of driving or urging by force or by physical or moral constraint; subjection to force.

An urge to do or say something that might be better left undone or unsaid

An irrational motive for performing trivial or repetitive actions against your will

Using force to cause something;