unscrupulous

1 of 2

adjective

un·​scru·​pu·​lous ˌən-ˈskrü-pyə-ləs 

: not scrupulous : unprincipled

… replicas that unscrupulous shopkeepers may sometimes try to palm off as the real thing.

—Geri Trotta

unscrupulously adverb

unscrupulousness noun

unscrupulousness

2 of 2

noun

un·​scrupulousness

"+

: the quality or state of being unscrupulous

Synonyms of unscrupulous

Adjective

• immoral
• ruthless
• corrupt
• unprincipled
• unethical

Examples of unscrupulous in a Sentence

Adjective

an unscrupulous businessman manipulated them into selling their land for practically nothing

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Magneto’s methods of fighting violence with violence may have sometimes been unscrupulous, but his ideology was always compelling, to X-Men members and viewers alike. — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 13 Aug. 2026

True to form, the story is narrated by an unscrupulous wanna-be novelist named Bret Easton Ellis (Igby Rigney), a closet case lusting away for the new hunk at his cruel prep school. — Randy Myers, Mercury News, 5 Aug. 2026

Both Washington and Mexico City have launched crackdowns against a complex web of unscrupulous functionaries, front companies and document fraudsters, among others. — Foreign Correspondent, Los Angeles Times, 3 Aug. 2026

Some immigrants requested more time before their next hearings, presenting evidence of having been defrauded by unscrupulous attorneys profiled in local news reports. — ABC News, 1 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1803, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for unscrupulous

• scrupulous

Kids Definition

unscrupulous

adjective

un·​scru·​pu·​lous ˌən-ˈskrü-pyə-ləs 

ˈən-

: not scrupulous : unprincipled

unscrupulously adverb

unscrupulousness noun