Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for October 20, 2026 is compunction. Compunction describes a feeling of misgiving, which is doubt or suspicion about a future event. It also encompasses a sense of guilt or regret. The word is frequently used in negative constructions, indicating the absence of such feelings. For instance, one might move ahead with plans without compunction. Similarly, individuals may feel no compunctions about their actions. An example illustrates this, where a person drops a book without compunction once they have what they need or lose interest. The proverb "a guilty conscience needs no accuser" highlights the potent nature of regret. The word's Latin roots, compungere, meaning "to prick hard" or "to sting," reflect these sharp feelings of guilt. Compungere itself derives from pungere, meaning "to prick," which is also the origin of words like puncture and point.