in theology, an inward grief in the mind for having offended God. The word comes from compungere, of pungere, "to prick."—The Romansits own their confession insignificant unless attended with compunction or pricking of heart.

Among spiritualists, compunction bears a more extensive signification; and implies not only a grief for having offended God, but also a pious sensation of grief, sorrow, and displeasure, on other motives. Thus, the miseries of life, the danger of being lost in the world, the blindness of the wicked, &c. are to pious people motives of compunction.