scrupulous
Americanadjective
-
having scruples, or moral or ethical standards; having or showing a strict regard for what one considers right; principled.
scrupulous about defending human rights.
- Synonyms:
- ethical, moral, upright, honest, conscientious
-
punctiliously or minutely careful, precise, or exact.
a scrupulous attention to detail in their performance.
- Synonyms:
- rigorous, exacting, circumspect, cautious, thorough, meticulous, careful
- Antonyms:
- careless
adjective
-
characterized by careful observation of what is morally right
-
very careful or precise
Synonym Usage
Scrupulous, punctilious imply abiding exactly by rules. Scrupulous implies conscientious carefulness in attending to details: scrupulous attention to details. Punctilious suggests strictness, preciseness, and rigidity, especially in observance of social conventions.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of scrupulous
First recorded in 1400–50; a late Middle English word from Latin scrūpulōsus; see scruple, -ous
Explanation
Scrupulous means very careful to do things properly and correctly. If you're scrupulous, you probably pay your friends back right away when they loan you money and never try to return clothing you've already worn. A scrupulous person is full of scruples, which are concerns about doing things that are morally right. Such a person is hesitant or doubtful, and might have trouble deciding what is morally right or wrong. The adjective scrupulous is from Latin scrūpulōsus, from scrūpulus, "scruple." A near synonym is punctilious.
Vocabulary lists containing scrupulous
The Vocabulary.com Top 1000
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The SAT: Multiple-Meaning Words, List 8
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"Why should we be so scrupulous in declaring everything, if he were to be able to get away with this?" one said to me.
From BBC ● Jul. 6, 2026
“He was scrupulous about not interfering in editorial business, but if you turned to him for counsel, he invariably offered judicious advice,” she said in an obituary released Tuesday night by the Newhouse family.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 27, 2026
But that tactic no doubt exists, particularly with the less scrupulous agents out there,” said Andy Panko, a certified financial planner who is tracking IUL policy claims and testing their effectiveness in a continuing project.
From MarketWatch ● May 27, 2026
Born in Japan’s mountainous Nagano region in 1932, Suzuki’s success with 7-Eleven sprang from a scrupulous attention to detail and an insight into the possibility of software and logistics to give retailers an edge.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 25, 2026
No one complained because the men were very scrupulous about not tearing off the flowers until they were well withered.
From "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" by Betty Smith
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
