unscrupulous

[ uhn-skroo-pyuh-luhs ]

adjective

1. not scrupulous; unrestrained by scruples; conscienceless; unprincipled.

unscrupulous

/ ʌnˈskruːpjʊləs; ʌnˌskruːpjʊˈlɒsɪtɪ /

adjective

1. without scruples; unprincipled

Derived Forms

• unˈscrupulously, adverb
• unˈscrupulousness, noun

Other Words From

• un·scrupu·lous·ly adverb
• un·scrupu·lous·ness un·scru·pu·los·i·ty [uhn-skroo-py, uh, -, los, -i-tee], noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of unscrupulous¹

First recorded in 1795–1805; un- ¹ + scrupulous

Synonym Study

Unscrupulous, unprincipled refer to lack of moral standards or conscience to guide one's conduct. An unscrupulous person is without scruples of conscience, and disregards, or has contempt for, laws of right or justice with which they are perfectly well acquainted, and which should restrain their actions: Methods of making money that are unscrupulous often involve taking advantage of the unfortunate. An unprincipled person is without moral principles or ethical standards in their conduct or actions: He's an unprincipled rogue; Her unprincipled conduct got her dismissed from the job.

Example Sentences

But there was a limit to his tolerance for big swings, especially those that reflected poor lawyering by unscrupulous Trump loyalists.

From Slate

But it is indeed Trump whose unscrupulous ambition it has served.

From Los Angeles Times

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said: "Working more closely with Serbia, North Macedonia and Kosovo, we will share information and intelligence, and work across borders to map out what is happening and where, to break the business models of these unscrupulous gangs at source."

From BBC

Backers hope the new system will lead to districts that are fair for voters and limit the ability of elected officials to wield power in an unscrupulous way.

From Los Angeles Times

“We see from the US that a structure is possible which can give consumers much more protection and ensure that unscrupulous agents aren't able to practice in this arena and make promises that they can't fulfil - alongside charging unfair fees,” Christopher Gabbitas, a commercial lawyer working in the creative sector, told the BBC.

From BBC

Related Words

• corrupt
• crafty
• crooked
• deceitful
• dishonest
• illegal
• petty
• ruthless
• selfish
• shady
• shameless
• underhanded
• unethical
• venal