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
Related Words
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
- hyperscrupulosity noun
- hyperscrupulous adjective
- hyperscrupulousness noun
- scrupulosity noun
- scrupulously adverb
- scrupulousness noun
- underscrupulous adjective
Etymology
Origin of scrupulous
First recorded in 1400–50; a late Middle English word from Latin scrūpulōsus; scruple, -ous
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.
DePetro isn’t especially scrupulous about what he allows on his social feeds.
From Slate • Feb. 23, 2026
Nonetheless, the portfolio’s impressive return reminds us of the need to cultivate scrupulous objectivity when digesting the financial news.
From MarketWatch • Dec. 24, 2025
He meticulously painted beer mugs, pipes, matches, newspapers and other everyday objects, paying scrupulous attention to texture.
From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 28, 2025
Damar's indignation about his eviction even comes with a scrupulous caveat: "I'm not angry at the tourists. I'm just angry at my own government."
From BBC • Oct. 18, 2025
Later to become the treasurer-general of the ANC, Arthur was a scrupulous medical practitioner.
From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela
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.
