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

The government also intends to give Ofsted the power to issue private providers, including unregistered homes, with civil fines to "deter unscrupulous behaviour".

From BBC

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

From Los Angeles Times

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

Harris, citing unscrupulous behavior by those landlords, proposes in her housing plan to pass the Preventing the Algorithmic Facilitation of Rental Housing Cartels Act in Congress, which would make price-fixing illegal under antitrust laws.

From Salon

California has stopped destroying records that contain key details about the state’s underground puppy market after a Times investigation found that some unscrupulous resellers import hundreds of dogs from the Midwest with little oversight.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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