Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
×

Thesaurus

scrupulous

adjective

Synonyms and Antonyms of scrupulous

1 guided by or in accordance with one's sense of right and wrong
  • an exemplar of morality who was scrupulous in all of his dealings
Synonyms of scrupulous

conscientious, conscionable, ethical, honest, honorable, just, moral, principled
Words Related to scrupulous

decent, good, righteous, right-minded, straight, upright, virtuous

dutiful, observant, respectful

overconscientious

reliable, responsible, solid, tried-and-true, true, trustworthy, trusty

esteemed, law-abiding, reputable, respected, upstanding, worthy
Near Antonyms of scrupulous

bad, black, evil, evil-minded, immoral, indecent, sinful, unrighteous, wicked

unreliable, untrustworthy

corrupt, debased, debauched, degenerate, depraved, dissolute, perverted, reprobate

atrocious, infamous, villainous

base, low, mean, vicious, vile

iniquitous, nefarious
Antonyms of scrupulous

cutthroat, dishonest, dishonorable, immoral, unconscionable, unethical, unjust, unprincipled, unscrupulous
2 taking, showing, or involving great care and effort
  • A scrupulous attention to detail is evident in all of his reporting.
Synonyms of scrupulous

careful, conscientious, fussy, loving, meticulous, painstaking
Words Related to scrupulous

assiduous, diligent, indefatigable, persevering, sedulous

exhaustive, thorough, thoroughgoing

alert, attentive, observant, vigilant, watchful

accurate, exact, precise, strict

critical, demanding, discriminating, exacting, fastidious, finicky, particular

cautious, chary, circumspect, gingerly, guarded, heedful, mindful, wary

deliberate, plodding, slow

studied, thoughtful

all-out, determined, dogged, intensive, patient, tenacious, tireless, zealous
Near Antonyms of scrupulous

cursory, halfhearted

heedless, inattentive, incautious, mindless, unguarded, unsafe, unwary

lax, neglectful, negligent, slipshod, sloppy, slovenly

imprecise

inaccurate, uncritical, undemanding, undiscriminating

bold, impetuous, rash, reckless

apathetic, indifferent, lackadaisical, lazy
Antonyms of scrupulous

careless

Synonym Discussion of scrupulous

upright, honest, just, conscientious, scrupulous, honorable mean having or showing a strict regard for what is morally right. upright implies a strict adherence to moral principles.
    • a stern and upright minister
honest stresses adherence to such virtues as truthfulness, candor, or fairness.
    • known for being honest in business dealings
just stresses conscious choice and regular practice of what is right or equitable.
    • workers given just compensation
conscientious and scrupulous imply an active moral sense governing all one's actions and painstaking efforts to follow one's conscience.
    • conscientious in the completion of her assignments
    • scrupulous in carrying out the terms of the will
honorable suggests a firm holding to codes of right behavior and the guidance of a high sense of honor and duty.
    • a difficult but honorable decision

Learn More about scrupulous

  1. Dictionary: Definition of scrupulous Spanish Central: Translation of scrupulous Nglish: Translation of scrupulous for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of scrupulous for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up scrupulous? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games