Cool MateConscience
UK /["/ˈkɒnʃəns/"]/US /["/ˈkɑːnʃəns/"]/
Definition
the part of your mind that tells you whether your actions are right or wrong
In simple words: Your ability to know right from wrong.
Examples
- Her conscience wouldn't allow her to lie, no matter the consequences.
- He felt a pang of conscience after seeing the suffering of others.
- She has a clear conscience since she always tries to do the right thing.
- His conscience tortured him for years after committing the crime.
- Conscience can be a powerful guide in decision-making processes.
Usage notes
Used in moral contexts to describe someone's feelings about right and wrong. Avoid in casual conversations unless discussing ethics.
Grammar pattern
standalone noun
Memory hint
Think of 'con' as in 'with' and 'science' for reasoning; your moral reasoning.
Collocations
- clean
- clear
- easy
- have
- appease
- assuage
- guide somebody/something
- tell somebody something
- bother somebody
- on your conscience
- an act of conscience
- an attack of conscience
- a crisis of conscience
- clean
- clear
- easy
- have
- appease
- assuage
- guide somebody/something
- tell somebody something
- bother somebody
- on your conscience
- an act of conscience
- an attack of conscience
- a crisis of conscience
- clean
- clear
- easy
- have
- appease
- assuage
- guide somebody/something
- tell somebody something
- bother somebody
- on your conscience
- an act of conscience
- an attack of conscience
- a crisis of conscience
Synonyms
- honestly
Antonyms
- unconsciousness
- indifference
Common mistakes
- Confused with 'conscious' which relates to being awake or aware.
- Used incorrectly in phrases like 'my conscience is clear' when it should be 'my conscience is guilty'.