compunction

/kəm-ˈpəŋ(k)-shən/

Middle English compunccioun, from Anglo-French compunction, from Late Latin compunction-, compunctio, from Latin compungere to prick hard, sting, from com- + pungere to prick

noun

  1. anxiety arising from awareness of guilt

  2. distress of mind over an anticipated action or result

  3. a twinge of misgiving : scruple

compunctions of conscience

… showed no compunction in planning devilish engines of … destruction.

penitence repentance contrition compunction remorse mean regret for sin or wrongdoing. penitence implies sad and humble realization of and regret for one's misdeeds. repentance adds the implication of a resolve to change.