Scruple
noun
A feeling of doubt or hesitation because you think it could be wrong or immoral.
She has no scruples about lying to get what she wants.
Often appears as...
- have no scruples
- against one's scruples
noun
An ancient unit of weight equal to approx. 1.3 grams.
A scruple was an old-fashioned measure used for precious stones and metals.
Often appears as...
- a scruple of gold
- weight in scruples
Usage tips
Academic
verb
Hesitate to do something that you think is wrong or feel uncomfortable with.
I scrupled to ask for more money.
Often appears as...
- scruple to ask
- scruple to say
Usage tips
Formal, Disapproving
noun
A feeling of doubt or hesitation because you think it could be wrong or immoral.
She has no scruples about lying to get what she wants.
Often appears as...
- have no scruples
- against one's scruples
noun
An ancient unit of weight equal to approx. 1.3 grams.
A scruple was an old-fashioned measure used for precious stones and metals.
Often appears as...
- a scruple of gold
- weight in scruples
Usage tips
Academic
verb
Hesitate to do something that you think is wrong or feel uncomfortable with.
I scrupled to ask for more money.
Often appears as...
- scruple to ask
- scruple to say
Usage tips
Formal, Disapproving
Definition 1 of 3
Pro Tip 1/3Moral Dilemma
Use 'scruple' when describing an ethical or moral hesitation.
He abandoned his scruples when the offer became too lucrative.
Pro Tip 2/3Negative Connotation
'Having no scruples' implies that someone is unprincipled or lacking morality.
The dishonest salesman had no scruples, deceiving elderly customers.
Pro Tip 3/3Often Plural
'Scruples' is commonly used in the plural form to discuss doubts or hesitations.
She was full of scruples before making the controversial decision.
Pro Tip 1/3Moral Dilemma
Use 'scruple' when describing an ethical or moral hesitation.
He abandoned his scruples when the offer became too lucrative.
Pro Tip 2/3Negative Connotation
'Having no scruples' implies that someone is unprincipled or lacking morality.
The dishonest salesman had no scruples, deceiving elderly customers.
Pro Tip 3/3Often Plural
'Scruples' is commonly used in the plural form to discuss doubts or hesitations.
She was full of scruples before making the controversial decision.
Pro Tip 1/3Moral Dilemma
Use 'scruple' when describing an ethical or moral hesitation.
He abandoned his scruples when the offer became too lucrative.
Pro Tip 2/3Negative Connotation
'Having no scruples' implies that someone is unprincipled or lacking morality.
The dishonest salesman had no scruples, deceiving elderly customers.
Pro Tip 3/3Often Plural
'Scruples' is commonly used in the plural form to discuss doubts or hesitations.
She was full of scruples before making the controversial decision.
Never forget "Scruple"
Humans forget easily. That's why you should download WordUp: Smart reminders, word games, AI practice, and much more!
Quote examples
Arthur L. Herman
American Historian
Millions of Americans cannot tell you who lived at Mount Vernon or who wrote the Declaration of Independence - let alone the Emancipation Proclamation. But they know that to be 'a Benedict Arnold' is to be a traitor of the deepest dye - someone who coldly betrays not only a sacred cause but every moral scruple along the way.
Quote examples
Markus Wolf
German Public Servant
One person can take papers, photograph them without getting excited, return them, and give them away without any scruples; while someone else has to overcome an enormous obstacle.
Quote examples
James Buchan
British Novelist
One of the admirable features of British novelists is that they have no scruple about setting their stories in foreign settings with wholly foreign personnel.
Quote examples
William Morris Hunt
American Artist
I don't like persuaded sitters. I never could paint a cat if the cat had any scruples, religious, superstitious, or otherwise, about sitting.
Quote examples
Helmut Jahn
German Architect
The architecture profession has lost a lot of its integrity, especially in the USA. The general architect here has no scruples, no ambitions.
Quote examples
Alfred Hitchcock
English Director
There is nothing to winning, really. That is, if you happen to be blessed with a keen eye, an agile mind, and no scruples whatsoever.
Quote examples
Anatole France
French Novelist
When a thing has been said and well, have no scruple. Take it and copy it.
Quote examples
Fernando Pessoa
Portuguese Author
To choose ways of not acting was ever the concern and scruple of my life.
Quote examples
Edward Dahlberg
American Novelist
Writing is conscience, scruple, and the farming of our ancestors.
Quote examples
Moliere
French Playwright
I have the knack of easing scruples.
Quote examples
Arthur L. Herman
American Historian
Millions of Americans cannot tell you who lived at Mount Vernon or who wrote the Declaration of Independence - let alone the Emancipation Proclamation. But they know that to be 'a Benedict Arnold' is to be a traitor of the deepest dye - someone who coldly betrays not only a sacred cause but every moral scruple along the way.
Quote examples
Markus Wolf
German Public Servant
One person can take papers, photograph them without getting excited, return them, and give them away without any scruples; while someone else has to overcome an enormous obstacle.
Quote examples
James Buchan
British Novelist
One of the admirable features of British novelists is that they have no scruple about setting their stories in foreign settings with wholly foreign personnel.
Quote examples
William Morris Hunt
American Artist
I don't like persuaded sitters. I never could paint a cat if the cat had any scruples, religious, superstitious, or otherwise, about sitting.
Quote examples
Helmut Jahn
German Architect
The architecture profession has lost a lot of its integrity, especially in the USA. The general architect here has no scruples, no ambitions.
Quote examples
Alfred Hitchcock
English Director
There is nothing to winning, really. That is, if you happen to be blessed with a keen eye, an agile mind, and no scruples whatsoever.
Quote examples
Anatole France
French Novelist
When a thing has been said and well, have no scruple. Take it and copy it.
Quote examples
Fernando Pessoa
Portuguese Author
To choose ways of not acting was ever the concern and scruple of my life.
Quote examples
Edward Dahlberg
American Novelist
Writing is conscience, scruple, and the farming of our ancestors.
Quote examples
Moliere
French Playwright
I have the knack of easing scruples.
Example 1 of 10
WordUp Chrome Extension
As you browse the web instantly look up words you don’t know.
Get Chrome Extension