scruple

³scruple

verb

scru·pledscru·pling\-p(ə-)liŋ\

Definition of SCRUPLE

intransitive verb

1

: to have scruples

2

: to show reluctance on grounds of conscience : hesitate

Examples of SCRUPLE

1. <a tabloid journalist who has never scrupled to reveal the most intimate details about the lives of celebrities>

First Known Use of SCRUPLE

1627

Related to SCRUPLE

Synonyms: balance, dither, falter, halt, hang back, hesitate, shilly-shally, stagger, teeter, vacillate, waver, wobble (also wabble)

Antonyms: dive (in), plunge (in)

Related Words: haw, hem; dally, dawdle, delay, linger, pause, procrastinate, wait; back down, chicken (out); consider, debate, deliberate, ponder, weigh; oscillate, sway; equivocate, hedge, pussyfoot, waffle

Near Antonyms: decide; budge, stir; advance, continue

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