scruple 1 of 3

noun (1)

ˈskrü-pəl How to pronounce scruple (audio)
Definition of scruplenext
1
as in shred
a very small amount went about her business without even a scruple of suspicion

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in speck
a very small piece left just a scruple of asparagus on the plate

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

scruple

2 of 3

noun (2)

as in doubt
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

scruple

3 of 3

verb

as in to hesitate
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

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun scruple differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of scruple are compunction, demur, and qualm. While all these words mean "a misgiving about what one is doing or going to do," scruple implies doubt of the rightness of an act on grounds of principle.

no scruples against buying stolen goods

In what contexts can compunction take the place of scruple?

The meanings of compunction and scruple largely overlap; however, compunction implies a spontaneous feeling of responsibility or compassion for a potential victim.

had compunctions about lying

Where would demur be a reasonable alternative to scruple?

Although the words demur and scruple have much in common, demur implies hesitation caused by objection to an outside suggestion or influence.

accepted her decision without demur

When could qualm be used to replace scruple?

The synonyms qualm and scruple are sometimes interchangeable, but qualm implies an uneasy fear that one is not following one's conscience or better judgment.

no qualms about plagiarizing

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 scruple
Noun
And like any good femme fatale, Maddy is given savvy at the expense of moral scruple. — The Editors, Vulture, 30 Apr. 2026 But we’re invited to see him as, despite these foibles, amusing and retaining, and his cynicism about everything and his lack of moral scruple is—actually, we’re invited to see this as a kind of higher wisdom. — David Frum, The Atlantic, 25 Mar. 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 See All Example Sentences for scruple
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scruple
  1. shred
  2. speck
  3. doubt
  4. hesitate
  5. hint
  6. particle
  7. compunction
  8. falter
Noun
  • Some of these cabinet members have even maintained, without a shred of evidence, that Syria’s president, the former jihadist Ahmed al-Shara, is preparing to attack Israel.
    — Amos Harel, Foreign Affairs, 2 Sep. 2026
  • But Michael Sanft, Davis’ defense lawyer, argued that the prosecution had no forensics, no eyewitness and not a single shred of physical evidence placing Davis in the Cadillac with the shooter.
    — Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of shred
Noun
  • Calcium shows up as bright white specks on the coronary artery images.
    — Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Pulse a few times, until crumbs range in size from specks to peas.
    — Leah Eskin, Midwest Living, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of speck
Noun
  • In most other franchises, a 4-2 road trip through two New York boroughs could calm the speculation, but one with such enormous standards — and that has already taken drastic action — doesn’t receive that benefit of the doubt.
    — Chandler Rome, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Without a doubt, opponents of the deal will seize on that as evidence of its being exploitative and will demand renegotiation on that basis.
    — Michael Lynch, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of doubt
Verb
  • Smith hesitated, Davis said, and Anderson grabbed the weapon and opened fire.
    — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 1 Sep. 2026
  • More often, courts hesitate to override a parent who, up until a divorce, has been a child’s primary decision-maker.
    — Ruby Cramer, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of hesitate
Noun
  • The cuisine was also noteworthy, a generous choice of cocktails, wines, and cuisine with hints of contemporary English inspiration, while avoiding being British stodgy.
    — Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Warsh is unlikely to reveal his approach before the task forces report but at Jackson Hole the whole world will be looking for hints regarding his plans to reshape the Fed.
    — Paul Wachtel, The Conversation, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of hint
Noun
  • Without ventilation, those particles settle on nearby surfaces like cabinets, walls, and countertops, creating a sticky film that builds up over time.
    — Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 3 Sep. 2026
  • If the event detected by this team was caused by the rare interaction between two WIMPs, this would tell scientists some things about these currently hypothetical particles.
    — Robert Lea, Space.com, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of particle
Noun
  • Every other Giants player wore the hat without compunction or issue.
    — Dan Freedman, Forbes.com, 25 June 2026
  • This regime has no such compunction.
    — David Remnick, New Yorker, 17 June 2026
Definition of compunction
Verb
  • Wednesday’s ugly loss, in which Yoshinobu Yamamoto faltered after a strong start and the Dodgers crumbled late despite taking a 3-0 first-inning lead, was the latest example.
    — Joaquin Ruiz, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026
  • This leadership vacuum raises serious questions about the agencies' ability to craft meaningful crypto rules, especially if the Senate's Clarity Act vote falters.
    — Cleve Mesidor, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of falter

Browse Nearby Words

scrunching
scruple
scrupled
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Scruple.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scruple. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on scruple

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about scruple

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
anagrams on a chalk board
Word Builder Quiz Vol. 2 Pick the letter that when added to a word will ma...
See All