unscrupulous

adjective

un·​scru·​pu·​lous ˌən-ˈskrü-pyə-ləs How to pronounce unscrupulous (audio)
Synonyms of unscrupulousnext
: not scrupulous : unprincipled
… replicas that unscrupulous shopkeepers may sometimes try to palm off as the real thing.Geri Trotta
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
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.
The OpenAI partnership was a template on which to build, potentially allowing for other deals that end the exploitation of human creativity by unscrupulous AI models. Jake Kanter, Deadline, 25 Mar. 2026 Building collapses are common in Nairobi, where housing is in high demand and unscrupulous developers often bypass regulations or simply violate building codes. ABC News, 16 Mar. 2026 According to investigative reports, unscrupulous lawyers collude with medical mills and lawsuit financiers to recruit immigrants and people experiencing homelessness to orchestrate accidents, arrange unnecessary surgeries and cash in on inflated settlements. Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 7 Mar. 2026 Perhaps more disturbing is the effect AI could have on the system if generative writing programs are used by unscrupulous parties to create phoney evidence. Edmund H. Mahony, Hartford Courant, 1 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for unscrupulous

Word History

First Known Use

1803, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of unscrupulous was in 1803

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Cite this Entry

“Unscrupulous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unscrupulous. Accessed 27 Mar. 2026.

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

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