scrupul
Latinanxiety, uneasiness, careful attention
Variants:scrupulscrupulus
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About This Root
From Latin scrūpulus (a small sharp stone, anxiety), diminutive of scrūpus (sharp stone). The metaphor is vivid: a tiny stone in your shoe causes persistent discomfort, just as a moral scruple causes nagging unease. Scrupulous means painfully careful; unscrupulous means having no such moral discomfort — willing to act without conscience.
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Associated Words · 5
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scrupulous
Very careful, thorough, and attentive to moral principles
scrupulously
In a very careful and conscientious manner
scruple
A moral doubt or hesitation (n.); to hesitate due to conscience (v.)
unscrupulously
In a dishonest, unprincipled manner
unscrupulousness
The quality of being dishonest and without principles