scrupulous

adjective

scru·​pu·​lous ˈskrü-pyə-ləs How to pronounce scrupulous (audio)
1
: having moral integrity : acting in strict regard for what is considered right or proper
2
: punctiliously exact : painstaking
working with scrupulous care
scrupulously adverb
scrupulousness noun

Did you know?

People described as “scrupulous” might feel discomfort in anything that challenges their moral sensibilities. Such challenges might present a nagging feeling, much as a sharp pebble in a shoe might nag a walker intent on getting somewhere. And we are getting somewhere. The origin of scrupulous is founded in just such a pebble. Scrupulous and its close relative scruple (“a feeling that prevents you from doing something that you think is wrong”) both come from the Latin noun scrupulus, “a small sharp stone,” the diminutive of scrupus, “a sharp stone.” Scrupus has a metaphorical meaning too: “a source of anxiety or uneasiness.” When the adjective scrupulous entered the English language in the 15th century, it meant “principled,” as in “having moral integrity,” but it now also commonly means “painstaking” or “careful.”

Choose the Right Synonym for scrupulous

upright, honest, just, conscientious, scrupulous, honorable mean having or showing a strict regard for what is morally right.

upright implies a strict adherence to moral principles.

a stern and upright minister

honest stresses adherence to such virtues as truthfulness, candor, or fairness.

known for being honest in business dealings

just stresses conscious choice and regular practice of what is right or equitable.

workers given just compensation

conscientious and scrupulous imply an active moral sense governing all one's actions and painstaking efforts to follow one's conscience.

conscientious in the completion of her assignments
scrupulous in carrying out the terms of the will

honorable suggests a firm holding to codes of right behavior and the guidance of a high sense of honor and duty.

a difficult but honorable decision

careful, meticulous, scrupulous, punctilious mean showing close attention to detail.

careful implies attentiveness and cautiousness in avoiding mistakes.

a careful worker

meticulous may imply either commendable extreme carefulness or a hampering finicky caution over small points.

meticulous scholarship

scrupulous applies to what is proper or fitting or ethical.

scrupulous honesty

punctilious implies minute, even excessive attention to fine points.

punctilious observance of ritual

Examples of scrupulous in a Sentence

While many assume that a conservative reading of the Constitution will lead inevitably to a conservative interpretation, Amar has argued, in scholarly articles and in a previous book, "The Bill of Rights," that paying scrupulous attention to the text, history and structure of the Constitution often reveals support for liberal outcomes. 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.
Recent Examples on the Web Before an injury took her out of the season, Tiler Peck, partnered by the scrupulous Tyler Angle, displayed a sweeping, unselfconscious musicality seemingly driven from deep within. Gia Kourlas, New York Times, 8 Mar. 2024 That expectation of scrupulous care seems to contradict Tesla’s own marketing characterizing the Cybertruck as a tough, off-roading hulk meant to rival heavy-story truck models offered by veteran carmakers like Ford and Toyota. Popular Science, 14 Feb. 2024 Since August, a panel appointed by Pickles has been working to compile a report, set to be released this May, that will include a scrupulous accounting of Alderney’s victims. Rebecca Panovka, Harper's Magazine, 9 Feb. 2024 Degas’s scrupulous working method involved preliminary sketches and studies. Sam Needleman, The New York Review of Books, 6 Jan. 2024 The scrupulous, democratic and open approach of MCB Real Estate, marked by their extensive interactions with a wide array of community members and neighborhoods, starkly exposes the unfounded and misleading nature of these allegations. Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 19 Jan. 2024 The more scrupulous fact-checkers are, the easier they can be overwhelmed with a flood of fake news. Mihir Sharma, Sun Sentinel, 2 Jan. 2024 Witnessing how scrupulous the performance had been scored and designed was impressive. Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 27 Oct. 2023 The movie’s general lack of candor matches its scrupulous avoidance of controversy and complexity, which does no justice to the complex and controversial characters at the center of the film. Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 19 Dec. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'scrupulous.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin scrupulosus, from scrupulus — see scruple entry 2

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of scrupulous was in the 15th century

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Dictionary Entries Near scrupulous

Cite this Entry

“Scrupulous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scrupulous. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

scrupulous

adjective
scru·​pu·​lous ˈskrü-pyə-ləs How to pronounce scrupulous (audio)
1
: full of or having scruples : strict
2
: being very exact : painstaking
working with scrupulous care
scrupulously adverb
scrupulousness noun

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