plural scruples
: a feeling that prevents you from doing something that you think is wrong
—usually plural
They seem to have no scruples [=qualms] about distorting the truth.
moral/religious scruples
a woman without scruples
She acted without scruple.
scruples; scrupled; scrupling
formal
: to be unwilling to do something because you think it is improper, morally wrong, etc.
—usually used in negative statements
He did not scruple to lie about it. [=he was willing to lie about it; lying about it did not bother him]
Cite this Entry
“Scruple.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/scruple. Accessed 17 Apr. 2026.
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