unscrupulous

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

Synonyms of unscrupulous

• immoral
• ruthless
• corrupt
• unprincipled
• unethical

Examples of unscrupulous in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples on the Web

The main shell is then salvaged, with the most valuable parts sold by unscrupulous vendors to repair shops and consumers, often via the Internet. —Jim Gorzelany, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026

Indeed, once the former’s economic situation forces them to withdraw from hosting duties just four years before kickoff, the opportunist pulls out every unscrupulous trick in the book to thwart the rival bids from, ironically, Canada and USA. —Jon O'Brien, Vulture, 10 June 2026

Some unscrupulous mortgage loan originator might want to push the borrower toward FHA financing. —Jeff Lazerson, Oc Register, 28 May 2026

Connecticut gets a bad reputation This leads to the 1833 story of the unscrupulous Connecticut peddlers. —Ava Berger, NPR, 28 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

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