Compulsion vs. Compunction — What's the Difference?
Difference Between Compulsion and Compunction
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Compare with Definitions
Compulsion
The action or state of forcing or being forced to do something; constraint
The payment was made under compulsion
Compunction
A feeling of guilt or moral scruple that prevents or follows the doing of something bad
They used their tanks without compunction
Compulsion
An irresistible urge to behave in a certain way
He felt a compulsion to babble on about what had happened
Compunction
A strong uneasiness caused by a sense of guilt
Stole the money without compunction.
Compulsion
The act of compelling.
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Compunction
A sting of conscience or a pang of doubt aroused by wrongdoing or the prospect of wrongdoing
"commercial speculators and hired politicians who had no compunction about pillaging their country for personal gain" (Leo Damrosch).
Compulsion
The state of being compelled.
Compunction
A pricking of conscience or a feeling of regret, especially one which is slight or fleeting.
Compulsion
An irresistible impulse to act, regardless of the rationality of the motivation
"He felt an animal compulsion to flee the hotel and the city" (Paul Theroux).
Compunction
A pricking; stimulation.
That acid and piercing spirit which, with such activity and compunction, invadeth the brains and nostrils.
Compulsion
(Psychiatry) An act or ritual that a person feels compelled to perform repeatedly, often to reduce the distress caused by an obsession.
Compunction
A picking of heart; poignant grief proceeding from a sense of guilt or consciousness of causing pain; the sting of conscience.
He acknowledged his disloyalty to the king, with expressions of great compunction.
Compulsion
An irrational need or irresistible urge to perform some action, often despite negative consequences.
During the basketball game, I had a sudden compulsion to have a smoke.
Compunction
A feeling of deep regret (usually for some misdeed)
Compulsion
The use of authority, influence, or other power to force (compel) a person or persons to act.
Compulsion
The lawful use of violence (i.e. by the administration).
Compulsion
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.
If reasons were as plentiful as blackberries, I would give no man a reason upon compulsion.
With what compulsion and laborious flightWe sunk thus low.
Compulsion
An urge to do or say something that might be better left undone or unsaid
Compulsion
An irrational motive for performing trivial or repetitive actions against your will
Compulsion
Using force to cause something;
Though pressed into rugby under compulsion I began to enjoy the game
They didn`t have to use coercion
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