unscrupulous

adjective

un·​scru·​pu·​lous ˌən-ˈskrü-pyə-ləs How to pronounce unscrupulous (audio)
Synonyms of unscrupulous
: not scrupulous : unprincipled
… replicas that unscrupulous shopkeepers may sometimes try to palm off as the real thing.—Geri Trotta
unscrupulously adverb
unscrupulousness noun

Synonyms of unscrupulous

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Examples of unscrupulous in a Sentence

an unscrupulous businessman manipulated them into selling their land for practically nothing
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Fortune reported on the tactic a decade ago, when fraud accounted for roughly one in 10 cargo thefts, and food was the most attractive target, since it can be resold through unscrupulous distributors with no serial numbers to trace. — Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 31 Aug. 2026 Lawrence Kasdan’s directorial debut is an erotic neo-noir thriller starring Kathleen Turner as the beguiling femme fatale Matty alongside William Hurt as an unscrupulous lawyer, Ned. — Air Mail, 29 Aug. 2026 The stark truth is that unscrupulous athletic departments, sports agents, and conferences will slow roll and stonewall following the rules. — U.s. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, Hartford Courant, 24 Aug. 2026 Haroon said early examples were often crude, produced cheaply by struggling artists working for unscrupulous dealers. — Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 19 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for unscrupulous

Word History

First Known Use

1803, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of unscrupulous was in 1803

Rhymes for unscrupulous

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Browse Nearby Words

unscrupulosity
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Cite this Entry

“Unscrupulous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unscrupulous. Accessed 7 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

unscrupulous

adjective
un·​scru·​pu·​lous ˌən-ˈskrü-pyə-ləs How to pronounce unscrupulous (audio)
ˈən-
: not scrupulous : unprincipled
unscrupulously adverb
unscrupulousness noun
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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