Definition of scrupulousnext
1
2

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective scrupulous differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of scrupulous are conscientious, honest, honorable, just, and upright. While all these words mean "having or showing a strict regard for what is morally right," 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

When could honest be used to replace scrupulous?

In some situations, the words honest and scrupulous are roughly equivalent. However, honest stresses adherence to such virtues as truthfulness, candor, or fairness.

known for being honest in business dealings

When would honorable be a good substitute for scrupulous?

The words honorable and scrupulous are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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

When might just be a better fit than scrupulous?

The words just and scrupulous can be used in similar contexts, but just stresses conscious choice and regular practice of what is right or equitable.

workers given just compensation

When is it sensible to use upright instead of scrupulous?

While in some cases nearly identical to scrupulous, upright implies a strict adherence to moral principles.

a stern and upright minister

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of scrupulous The less scrupulous voices also invade Beverly’s meticulous household like bulls in a suburban china shop. Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 25 Mar. 2026 If your goal is to get at the truth, or at least our closest approximation of it at the present time, the way to do that is to be scrupulous and forthright about the strengths and weaknesses of every link in your chain of argument. Big Think, 10 Feb. 2026 Some will be scrupulous; others will broker in conspiracy and flagrant lies. Jay Caspian Kang, New Yorker, 6 Jan. 2026 Wall Street is taking a more scrupulous look at AI companies’ earnings results. John Towfighi, CNN Money, 11 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for scrupulous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scrupulous
Adjective
  • Manliness is a touchy subject these days, but there was a time when honorable combat was respected above the mere running of one’s mouth.
    Clarence Page, Chicago Tribune, 22 June 2026
  • And Florida passed only because one player made the honorable decision.
    David Mica, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 June 2026
Adjective
  • Lasdun, by contrast, insists on delivering a meticulous retelling of the Murdaugh case, complete with byzantine subplots involving the suspicious death of the family’s housekeeper and the murder of another local teenager.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 25 June 2026
  • Sketches, photographs lost in a fire Norman Rockwell was known for using meticulous detail to draw out a range of human emotions in his vignettes of everyday life.
    Elizabeth Blair, NPR, 25 June 2026
Adjective
  • In addition to conscientious UV protection, Hall recommends that patients with aging skin prioritize hydration and skin-barrier support.
    Jenny Berg, Glamour, 22 June 2026
  • After a two-year National Service stint as a hospital orderly (thanks to his own conscientious-objector status), Hockney landed at the Royal College of Art, in London, in the fall of 1959.
    Mark Rozzo, Vanity Fair, 12 June 2026
Adjective
  • Just be careful not to add water, since even tiny amounts can cause melted chocolate to turn into a grainy, clumpy mess.
    Daryl Austin, USA Today, 27 June 2026
  • Ultimately, the widespread adoption of AI for mental health constitutes a global experiment with both potential benefits and serious downsides that require careful management.
    Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 27 June 2026
Adjective
  • The whole industry poses significant ethical risks.
    Will Barker, TheWeek, 25 June 2026
  • Under his direction, Cathay debuted the Aria Suite—a reimagining of premium travel—alongside the global 'Where Artistry Takes Flight' campaign, where the airline partnered with an ethical AI platform to create an interactive art tool.
    Slma Shelbayah, Forbes.com, 25 June 2026
Adjective
  • The ethos of the festival also involves looking out for fellow attendees, respecting The Farm and taking the loving energy of the festival out into the world.
    Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 June 2026
  • The fun-loving, kilt-wearing Scottish fans took over Boston and South Florida and endeared themselves to both communities.
    Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 27 June 2026
Adjective
  • Some were opposed on moral grounds to ICE’s presence in their neighborhoods, while others questioned whether the facilities would be a drain on local resources, such as sewer and water systems.
    ABC News, ABC News, 23 June 2026
  • Players had begun getting legal money, alleviating a moral embarrassment from the previous century-plus, but transfers hadn’t yet started flipping half of every roster every season.
    Jason Kirk, New York Times, 23 June 2026
Adjective
  • Since then, Roberts, who will also manage the NL All-Star team, has appreciated how diligent Pages has remained in his routine.
    Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 21 June 2026
  • If a separate closet or dresser outside the bathroom is unavailable to you, then Trosclair advises being diligent in cycling through your linens and washing them regularly to fight any mildewing, molding, or weathering from the moisture.
    Hallie Milstein, Southern Living, 17 June 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Scrupulous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scrupulous. Accessed 29 Jun. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on scrupulous

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

More from Merriam-Webster