1
as in specks
a very small amount
went about her business without even a scruple of suspicion
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in particles
a very small piece
left just a scruple of asparagus on the plate
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in doubts
an uneasy feeling about the rightness of what one is doing or going to do
the survey showed that many students had few scruples about cheating on papers or exams
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in hesitates
to show uncertainty about the right course of action
a tabloid journalist who has never scrupled to reveal the most intimate details about the lives of celebrities
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of scruples
Clarence Page,
Chicago Tribune,
15 June 2026
The people of every commune knew and feared those like him — stern figures in black whose ideological devotion appeared to outweigh any moral scruples.
—
Matthew Campbell,
Bloomberg,
22 May 2026
Colonial authorities regularly questioned their character, scruples, and business practices; Grietje and Anthony returned the favor.
—
Literary Hub,
14 May 2026
And like any good femme fatale, Maddy is given savvy at the expense of moral scruples.
—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
20 Apr. 2026
But the squirrelly, middle-aged guy at the weird surplus store in northern Florida had no such scruples.
—
Alex Morris,
Rolling Stone,
19 Mar. 2026
Sometimes, a billionaire has very questionable scruples as to the best ways to go about things.
—
Jevon Phillips,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Feb. 2026
These firms now pay their rainmakers like Wall Street stars and have dropped their courtly scruples for relentless commercialism.
—
Liz Hoffman,
semafor.com,
5 Feb. 2026
Mainstream Republicans and right-leaning unaffiliated voters will gravitate to candidates with experience and scruples.
—
Krista Kafer,
Denver Post,
31 Dec. 2025
Noun
Still, there are some smart, well-meaning voices of caution who warn Democrats against forgetting their scruples.
—
Clarence Page,
Chicago Tribune,
15 June 2026
The people of every commune knew and feared those like him — stern figures in black whose ideological devotion appeared to outweigh any moral scruples.
—
Matthew Campbell,
Bloomberg,
22 May 2026
Colonial authorities regularly questioned their character, scruples, and business practices; Grietje and Anthony returned the favor.
—
Literary Hub,
14 May 2026
And like any good femme fatale, Maddy is given savvy at the expense of moral scruples.
—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
20 Apr. 2026
But the squirrelly, middle-aged guy at the weird surplus store in northern Florida had no such scruples.
—
Alex Morris,
Rolling Stone,
19 Mar. 2026
Sometimes, a billionaire has very questionable scruples as to the best ways to go about things.
—
Jevon Phillips,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Feb. 2026
These firms now pay their rainmakers like Wall Street stars and have dropped their courtly scruples for relentless commercialism.
—
Liz Hoffman,
semafor.com,
5 Feb. 2026
Mainstream Republicans and right-leaning unaffiliated voters will gravitate to candidates with experience and scruples.
—
Krista Kafer,
Denver Post,
31 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scruples
Noun
-
One released a chaff cascade—hell’s own monsoon manifesting as specks of light, sound, and EM pulses falling through the hanging garden.
-
Kansas City isn't much of a pedestrian city, but now, blue and green specks of fans dot the sidewalks, like wildflowers poking through a crack in the pavement.
Noun
-
It should be finely milled, meaning it's blended to lightweight particles that move easily yet set the skin well.
-
The storm built until the walls and floor were covered with pale gray particles, billowing like smoke, then tessellating in triangles.
Noun
-
The inconsistency in messaging raises further doubts that negotiators can meet their 60-day deadline after the two sides traded attacks over the weekend, straining their already fragile ceasefire.
-
Harry Kane is reportedly reconsidering his Bayern Munich future after FC Barcelona made contact, sparking doubts in his camp.
Verb
-
Hassan hesitates over an undercooked backpass, Haaland smells blood, and Iraq are toast.
-
Yet the same board that will fund AI transformation, wellness apps, psychometrics, dashboards and catered offsites often still hesitates to fund serious executive coaching for the people making the highest-risk decisions in the company.
Noun
-
My grandmother’s version typically called just for the addition of generous sprinklings of Lawry’s garlic salt and black pepper—and that’s it.
Noun
-
Light streams through the frosted glass, catching flecks of dust.
-
But flecks of green were visible throughout the stadium as Algeria fans made their presence known as well.
Noun
-
Smith's qualms stemmed from the massive requirements for the presidential visit, which shut down surrounding streets near Madison Square Garden and forced police to clear out outdoor watch parties.
-
Still, other board members had qualms going into the meeting on specific contract renewals.
Verb
-
And once performance falters, customers are likely to lose faith in your brand.
-
Conquerors and autocrats may win the immediate battle by bullying their subjects into submission, but their empires inevitably crumble the moment their iron grip falters.
Cite this Entry
“Scruples.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scruples. Accessed 3 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
