attack of conscience

USAGE SUMMARY

"attack of conscience" is correct and usable in written English.
It is a phrase used to refer to a sudden or intense pang of guilt or regret. For example, "The politician was struck by an attack of conscience and decided to admit his wrongdoing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

The same goes for his sudden attack of conscience, which causes his final task to go badly awry.

The New Yorker

Necessity, rather than an unexpected attack of conscience, will be the driving force behind this transition to a circular economy.

The Guardian

At the end of the movie, Senator Paine has an attack of conscience and confesses to everything.

The New Yorker

But then Greg Smith comes bounding up the court, fire in his eyes and an acute attack of conscience in his gut.

The New York Times

Penny (Kaley Cuoco) gives vintage "Star Trek" collectibles to her friends as a thank you, but Sheldon Jim Parsonss) has an attack of conscience after he breaks a toy belonging to Leonard Johnny Galeckii).

The New York Times

In "Crimes," the murderer, Judah, is an opthamologist who initially suffers pangs of guilt set off by "little sparks by his religious background," but in the end is blissfully freed from any attack of conscience.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

Justice Kennedy said women who undergo the procedure were liable to attacks of conscience.

The New York Times

It's a little late for Mr. Westin's attacks of conscience as he tries to lure "the DiCaprio generation," as he calls it, so that ABC can get some sponsors for the evening news other than Preparation H and Viagra.

The New York Times

The White House attack on conscience is a vindication of health care reform's critics, who saw exactly this kind of overreach coming.

The New York Times

Mitch McConnell and Paul Ryan are not likely to act out of an attack of moral conscience.

The New Yorker

On visits to eastern and central Europe, the German chancellor, Angela Merkel, and the French president, Nicolas Sarkozy, both argued against a two-speed Europe.It would be nice to think that EU leaders were suffering an attack of democratic conscience.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "attack of conscience" when you want to emphasize a sudden and often unexpected feeling of guilt or moral responsibility that compels someone to act differently.

Common error

Avoid using "attack of conscience" for mild feelings of regret. It implies a significant and disruptive moral realization, not just a slight sense of unease.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "attack of conscience" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a sudden, intense feeling of guilt or moral responsibility that influences someone's actions, as exemplified in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Wiki

12%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Science

7%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "attack of conscience" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe a sudden, intense feeling of guilt or moral responsibility. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples from reputable sources, primarily in the news and media. While the phrase is suitable for neutral contexts, it may be slightly informal for strictly academic writing. Alternatives like "pang of guilt" or "moral reckoning" can be used for more formal tones. Remember that it implies a significant moral realization, not just a mild sense of unease, and use it to emphasize sudden and impactful shifts in moral awareness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pang of guilt

This alternative refers to a sudden sharp feeling of guilt, focusing on the emotional discomfort.

wave of remorse

This phrase highlights the overwhelming feeling of regret and sorrow.

fit of repentance

This suggests a sudden and strong urge to express remorse and seek forgiveness.

moment of moral reckoning

This alternative focuses on the point when someone faces their ethical responsibilities.

sudden regret

This emphasizes the unexpected nature of feeling remorseful.

bout of contrition

Similar to repentance, this phrase emphasizes sincere remorse for wrongdoing.

moral crisis

This denotes a difficult situation forcing a person to confront their values and make hard choices.

ethical dilemma

This highlights a situation with conflicting moral imperatives, requiring careful consideration.

conscience stricken

This is a more adjective oriented option that described a situation where someone's conscience is bothering them significantly.

feeling of compunction

This alternative signifies a slight regret or uneasiness, typically milder than strong guilt.

FAQs

How can I use "attack of conscience" in a sentence?

You can use "attack of conscience" to describe a sudden feeling of guilt or moral responsibility. For example, "After years of ignoring the environmental damage his company caused, he had an "attack of conscience" and decided to implement sustainable practices."

What is a more formal alternative to "attack of conscience"?

In formal contexts, consider using phrases like "moral reckoning" or "pang of guilt", which convey a similar meaning with a more elevated tone.

Is it correct to say "attacks of conscience"?

Yes, "attacks of conscience" is the plural form and is grammatically correct when referring to multiple instances of feeling a strong sense of guilt or moral responsibility.

What's the difference between "crisis of conscience" and "attack of conscience"?

"Crisis of conscience" suggests a prolonged and difficult internal conflict over moral principles, while "attack of conscience" implies a sudden, intense feeling of guilt or regret.