in Theology, an inward grief in the mind for having offended God. The word comes from compungere, of pungere, "to prick;"—The Romans 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.