unscrupulous

adjective

un·​scru·​pu·​lous ˌən-ˈskrü-pyə-ləs How to pronounce unscrupulous (audio)
: not scrupulous : unprincipled
unscrupulously adverb
unscrupulousness noun

Examples of unscrupulous in a Sentence

an unscrupulous businessman manipulated them into selling their land for practically nothing
Recent Examples on the Web The lucrative mining industry is unscrupulous, environmentally disastrous, and a linchpin of Congo’s economy. The New York Review of Books, 16 Nov. 2023 Dolph Lundgren plays the former action star who shows up for a personal appearance, then stays to help save the joint from those agents of unscrupulous developers. Dennis Harvey, Variety, 7 Nov. 2023 It’s based on the true story of Osage Nation people who become wealthy after discovering oil — and the unscrupulous White people who then try to take it from them. Common Sense Media, Washington Post, 20 Oct. 2023 O’Donnell also said the IRS planned to support Volunteer Income Tax Assistance programs opening in more low-income neighborhoods, so that taxpayers can choose to have their taxes prepared free by volunteers instead of going to unscrupulous preparers. Julie Zauzmer Weil, Anchorage Daily News, 18 Sep. 2023 Even when responding with burning indignation to De Schinkel’s most unscrupulous tactics, Mikkelsen’s performance remains measured, with Ludvig’s emotions largely internalized to great effect. David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 1 Sep. 2023 In his job, Ron bravely fought for players’ rights and helped unseat the unscrupulous Alan Eagleson as head of the NHL Players’ Assn. Helene Elliott, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2023 And that, analysts say, has been an invitation for unscrupulous sellers to fudge — and for some shippers to adopt a see-no-evil approach. TIME, 23 Oct. 2023 His mother died in 1946 after swallowing bicarbonate that had been tainted with poison, one of eight victims of an unscrupulous pharmacist. Richard Sandomir, New York Times, 6 Oct. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'unscrupulous.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1803, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of unscrupulous was in 1803

Dictionary Entries Near unscrupulous

Cite this Entry

“Unscrupulous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unscrupulous. Accessed 30 Nov. 2023.

Kids Definition

unscrupulous

adjective
un·​scru·​pu·​lous ˌən-ˈskrü-pyə-ləs How to pronounce unscrupulous (audio)
ˈən-
: not scrupulous : unprincipled
unscrupulously adverb
unscrupulousness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on unscrupulous

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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