conscience

American  

[kon-shuhns] / ˈkɒn ʃəns /

noun

1. the inner sense of what is right or wrong in one's conduct or motives, impelling one toward right action.

   to follow the dictates of conscience.

2. the complex of ethical and moral principles that controls or inhibits the actions or thoughts of an individual.

3. an inhibiting sense of what is prudent.

   I'd eat another piece of pie but my conscience would bother me.

4. conscientiousness.

5. Obsolete.  consciousness; self-knowledge.

6. Obsolete.  strict and reverential observance.

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idioms

1. have something on one's conscience,  to feel guilty about something, as an act that one considers wrong.

   She behaves as if she had something on her conscience.

2. in all conscience,  Also in conscience.

   1. in all reason and fairness.

   2. certainly; assuredly.

conscience British  

/ ˈkɒnʃəns /

noun

1. 1. the sense of right and wrong that governs a person's thoughts and actions

   2. regulation of one's actions in conformity to this sense

   3. a supposed universal faculty of moral insight

2. conscientiousness; diligence

3. a feeling of guilt or anxiety

   he has a conscience about his unkind action

4. obsolete  consciousness

5. 1. with regard to truth and justice

   2. certainly

6. causing feelings of guilt or remorse

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conscience More Idioms  

1. see have a clear conscience; in conscience.

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Other Word Forms

• conscienceless adjective
• consciencelessly adverb
• consciencelessness noun
• subconscience noun

Etymology

Origin of conscience

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin conscientia “knowledge, awareness, conscience”; equivalent to con- + science

Example Sentences

But I think the story stays for a deeper reason, something that pings on the national conscience—something barely articulable that’s just there, like a cloud we all operate in.

From The Wall Street Journal

But they cannot extinguish the belief that religion keeps alive: that there is something higher than Caesar’s will, something that commands conscience beyond fear of reprisal or political favor.

From The Wall Street Journal

He was not alone in trying to navigate between his conscience and the mounting pressures to conform.

From The Wall Street Journal

"I will carry this sorrow in my conscience," he wrote, asking the victims' mothers for forgiveness.

From Barron's

Shealy spoke of the detriment the bill would have to South Carolinians and their doctors, while Gustafson’s testimony urged legislators to vote their conscience rather than party expectations.

From Salon

Related Words

• shame