as in immoral
not guided by or showing a concern for what is right
an unscrupulous businessman manipulated them into selling their land for practically nothing
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Recent Examples of unscrupulous
The administration stunned Medicare Advantage insurers and their investors by proposing a minuscule pay raise for 2027 and, more importantly, another series of policies that intend to root out unscrupulous behaviors that insurers have used to elevate profits.
—
Bob Herman, STAT, 28 Jan. 2026
In 2023, one driver told The Post that word of the program — which could net unscrupulous drivers thousands of dollars each day — was passed along by word of mouth.
—Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 21 Jan. 2026
Tourists seeking to visit the Statue of Liberty were defrauded daily by unscrupulous ticket-hawkers pitching water tours departing miles away that charge high prices and can’t land on Liberty Island.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 7 Jan. 2026
As thousands gathered to wait overnight in freezing temperatures to purchase tickets for Zeppelin’s upcoming concert, a few unscrupulous fans broke into the seating area of the arena and caused thousands of dollars of damage.
—Lorenzino Estrada, AZCentral.com, 6 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unscrupulous
Bob Herman, STAT, 28 Jan. 2026
In 2023, one driver told The Post that word of the program — which could net unscrupulous drivers thousands of dollars each day — was passed along by word of mouth.
—Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 21 Jan. 2026
Tourists seeking to visit the Statue of Liberty were defrauded daily by unscrupulous ticket-hawkers pitching water tours departing miles away that charge high prices and can’t land on Liberty Island.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 7 Jan. 2026
As thousands gathered to wait overnight in freezing temperatures to purchase tickets for Zeppelin’s upcoming concert, a few unscrupulous fans broke into the seating area of the arena and caused thousands of dollars of damage.
—Lorenzino Estrada, AZCentral.com, 6 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unscrupulous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unscrupulous
Adjective
-
Gay and transgender people are immoral.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Feb. 2026
-
Cooperation feels not only impossible, but immoral.—
Joe Palaggi,
Twin Cities,
11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Amongst the sandy plains of the Burning Springs region and throngs of raiders and ruthless cap collectors is Prime Video’s Fallout character, The Ghoul (Walton Goggins).—
Destiny Jackson,
Deadline,
26 Feb. 2026
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That’s thanks in one part to a gripping flash-forward narrative structure now so common it could be considered a cliché, and in another to Glenn Close’s indelible performance as ruthless litigator Patty Hewes.—
Matt Brennan,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Oseguera also assumed control of corrupt police officers and politicians.—
N'dea Yancey-Bragg,
USA Today,
22 Feb. 2026
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Lies, corrupt leaders, poisoning and persecution of a race.—
K.J. Yossman,
Variety,
22 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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In the past, that’s opened small businesses to frivolous lawsuits filed by unprincipled lawyers that file massive lawsuits and offer quick settlements.—
Erica Goldstein,
Boston Herald,
9 Sep. 2025
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Rule by ‘ambitious, and unprincipled men’ Partisanship is the primary problem for the American republic, according to Washington.—
Robert A. Strong,
The Conversation,
8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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At dawn today, that stupid and unethical decision—and many others like it—finally caught up with him.—
Helen Lewis,
The Atlantic,
19 Feb. 2026
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Tried as an adult, the teen was convicted five months later at a trial replete with errors and unethical behavior — but almost no real evidence.—
Dan Kelly,
Kansas City Star,
17 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unscrupulous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unscrupulous. Accessed 1 Mar. 2026.
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