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

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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

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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
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 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 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
  • Every opportunity to pounce on each other, snap after gnats, and pull shreds of meat from bones is important.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 27 Oct. 2026
  • With every word, these leaders shed another shred of dignity.
    — Matt Calkins OutKick, FOXNews.com, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of shred
Noun
  • Chips could be destroyed by even a speck of dust, so factories became impregnable clean rooms, their workers clad in bunny suits.
    — Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2026
  • The source was generally in good condition, but mold spots and dense clusters of small white specks required careful treatment.
    — Lin Ying-Hsuan, Variety, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of speck
Noun
  • Election deniers are using public records to sow doubt in California.
    — Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026
  • Those fiscal strains come as political volatility and social unrest raise doubts about the government’s ability to deliver measures aimed at stabilizing the public finances.
    — Jenni Reid,Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of doubt
Verb
  • Valkyria hesitated for a split second and Bayley took advantage.
    — Ryan Gaydos OutKick, FOXNews.com, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Smear certainly finds Ides of March star Clooney, who never hesitates to put his politics and star power to work, and the rest of the cast stepping into some deep, murky and often digital waters.
    — Dominic Patten, Deadline, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of hesitate
Noun
  • The two remain royals, but growing speculation hints that once Prince William ascends the throne, that might change.
    — Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Yet other separatist movements in Canada appear to have taken the hint.
    — Max Saltman, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of hint
Noun
  • The pre-filter slides out for easy upkeep, and a particle sensor provides accurate readouts of airborne particulate matter (a standard metric for measuring air quality).
    — Editors of Bon Appétit, Bon Appetit Magazine, 27 Oct. 2026
  • So the scattering of the particles has a strong dependence on the substrate.
    — Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of particle
Noun
  • With Saudi Arabia, however, the Houthis felt less compunction.
    — Laurent Bonnefoy, The Conversation, 14 Oct. 2026
  • The team has shown zero compunction about paying Black players.
    — Armando Salguero OutKick, FOXNews.com, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of compunction
Verb
  • The Giants hope the more mobile McCarthy can spark a struggling running game that has faltered with Winston at quarterback.
    — Ryan Canfield OutKick, FOXNews.com, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Analysts noted that the brand was bucking trends among Chinese consumers, where most luxury brands have been faltering this quarter.
    — Madeleine Schulz, Vogue, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of falter

Browse Nearby Words

scrunching
scruple
scrupled
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Cite this Entry

“Scruple.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scruple. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on scruple

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about scruple

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