compunction

 
Pronunciation: /kəmˈpʌŋkʃ(ə)n/

noun

[mass noun, usually with negative]
  • a feeling of guilt or moral scruple that prevents or follows the doing of something bad: they used their tanks without compunction

Derivatives

compunctious

Pronunciation: /-ʃəs/
adjective

compunctiously

Pronunciation: /-ʃəsli/
adverb

Origin:

Middle English: from Old French componction, from ecclesiastical Latin compunctio(n-), from Latin compungere 'prick sharply', from com- (expressing intensive force) + pungere 'to prick'