scrupulous
adjective
Did you know?
Scrupulous and its close relative scruple ("an ethical consideration or principle") come from the Latin noun scrupulus, the diminutive of scrupus. Scrupus refers to a sharp stone, so scrupulus means "a small sharp stone." Scrupus retained its literal meaning but eventually also came to be used with the metaphorical meaning "a source of anxiety or uneasiness," the way a sharp pebble in one's shoe would be a source of pain. When the adjective scrupulous entered the language, it meant "principled," but now it also commonly means "painstaking" or "careful."
Synonyms
- conscientious
- conscionable
- ethical
- honest
- honorable
- just
- moral
- principled
Example Sentences
James Ryerson, New York Times Book Review, 6 Nov. 2005 Most clients praise the lawyer effusively. Rubenstein declares that Grubman never represents both parties in any one matter, is scrupulous in disclosing his relations to all his clients and abides by the conflict rules of the legal profession. Johnnie L. Roberts, Newsweek, 6 Aug. 2001 Tax-shelter proliferation has reached such epidemic proportions that it has actually spurred a backlash among the more conscientious members of the tax profession. A few scrupulous tax lawyers have anonymously leaked details of shelter schemes to the IRS. Franklin Foer, New Republic, 5 June 2000 She was always scrupulous about her work. The work requires scrupulous attention to detail. Less scrupulous companies find ways to evade the law. See More Rachel Monroe, The New Yorker, 29 June 2022 This is a location where cooperatives—through scrupulous attention toward quality—have established a solid reputation for consistently producing high quality wines. Tom Mullen, Forbes, 31 July 2022 And less-than-scrupulous providers often find ways to bill for some services, such as out-of-network anesthesia monitoring. Emmarie Huetteman, Fortune, 27 May 2022 The team also was scrupulous about custom-fitting its wigs and adding padding and cushions if needed. Rebecca Sun, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 June 2022 But some lumberyards are less scrupulous than others, and a logger can easily furnish a permit from one location when the wood has been sourced from another. Lauren Markham, Harper’s Magazine , 20 July 2022 There’s plenty in the crypto ecosystem that demands scrupulous, careful attention. Miller Whitehouse-levine, Fortune, 6 July 2022 Indie juggernauts like Sub Pop and Epitaph Records, whose founders are quoted on SST’s importance, have become more scrupulous in business, more rational in their legal and promotional activities. Michael Friedrich, The New Republic, 3 May 2022 Davies has been making feature films of surpassing beauty and scrupulous intelligence since 1988. Mark Feeney, BostonGlobe.com, 2 June 2022 See More Word History
Middle English, from Latin scrupulosus, from scrupulus — see scruple entry 2
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Kids Definition
scrupulous
adjective
scrupulous
adjective
Synonyms & Similar Words
- honorable
- conscientious
- ethical
- honest
- moral
- responsible
- principled
- good
- just
- worthy
- respectful
- dutiful
- conscionable
- virtuous
- decent
- reliable
- true
- observant
- righteous
- respected
- trustworthy
- upright
- right-minded
- straight
- reputable
- esteemed
- trusty
- upstanding
- solid
- overconscientious
- law-abiding
- tried-and-true
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- unscrupulous
- dishonest
- unethical
- unprincipled
- unjust
- dishonorable
- immoral
- unconscionable
- cutthroat
- bad
- evil
- immoral
- sinful
- wicked
- unreliable
- indecent
- untrustworthy
- unrighteous
- dissolute
- depraved
- perverted
- degenerate
- debased
- evil-minded
- corrupt
- debauched
- atrocious
- infamous
- villainous
- vicious
- low
- mean
- vile
- nefarious
- iniquitous
- base
- reprobate
Synonyms & Similar Words
- meticulous
- careful
- conscientious
- diligent
- loving
- painstaking
- thorough
- cautious
- assiduous
- patient
- intensive
- vigilant
- watchful
- thoughtful
- indefatigable
- strict
- fussy
- sedulous
- persevering
- circumspect
- thoroughgoing
- exhaustive
- mindful
- fastidious
- attentive
- wary
- observant
- zealous
- particular
- chary
- heedful
- finicky
- deliberate
- accurate
- critical
- exacting
- discriminating
- guarded
- precise
- tireless
- demanding
- tenacious
- determined
- studied
- gingerly
- plodding
- slow
- alert
- dogged
- exact
- all-out
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- careless
- cursory
- negligent
- lax
- heedless
- incautious
- slipshod
- inattentive
- halfhearted
- regardless
- sloppy
- slovenly
- neglectful
- uncritical
- mindless
- unsafe
- imprecise
- unguarded
- unwary
- reckless
- undiscriminating
- inaccurate
- impetuous
- indifferent
- undemanding
- lackadaisical
- bold
- lazy
- rash
- apathetic
- lazyish
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of scrupulous are conscientious, honest, honorable, just, and upright. While all these words mean "having or showing a strict regard for what is morally right," conscientious and scrupulous imply an active moral sense governing all one's actions and painstaking efforts to follow one's conscience.
In some situations, the words honest and scrupulous are roughly equivalent. However, honest stresses adherence to such virtues as truthfulness, candor, or fairness.
The words honorable and scrupulous are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, honorable suggests a firm holding to codes of right behavior and the guidance of a high sense of honor and duty.
The words just and scrupulous can be used in similar contexts, but just stresses conscious choice and regular practice of what is right or equitable.
While in some cases nearly identical to scrupulous, upright implies a strict adherence to moral principles.