UNSCRUPULOUS Synonyms: 44 Similar and Opposite Words

unscrupulous

adjective

ˌən-ˈskrü-pyə-ləs

Definition of unscrupulous

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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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 unscrupulous In searching for her niece, Jones is forced to grapple with not only her past, but also an unscrupulous music industry. — Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 7 Oct. 2026 Early 2020s prestige television skewered the rich and unscrupulous. — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 2 Oct. 2026 But, argue the plaintiffs, the Nazis’ lists were often modified at the request of unscrupulous dealers. — Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 25 Sep. 2026 That is not to say that unscrupulous politicians do not engage in bribery. — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 24 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for unscrupulous

Recent Examples of Synonyms for unscrupulous

Adjective

Hollywood called out as immoral as studio puts paying viewers in charge of the screen.

— , FOXNews.com, 29 Oct. 2026
Convince people that an innocent person represents an existential threat, furnish them with a frightening conspiracy theory about an immoral enemy, and some may become willing to kill.

— Maxwell Adler, Vanity Fair, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of immoral

Adjective

Many progressives, led by Bernie Sanders, the independent senator from Vermont, also believe that a global oligarchy poses a threat to democracy and see big business in defense, technology, and finance as part of a corrupt system.

— THOMAS WRIGHT, Foreign Affairs, 3 Nov. 2026
Donalds is just another gear in the Republican engine that is beholden to the wealthy the powerful and the corrupt — all at the expense of working-class Floridians.

— Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 3 Nov. 2026

Definition of corrupt

Adjective

His vote is of no more worth than that of any unprincipled foreigner or hireling native, who may have been bought.

— René Ostberg, Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Oct. 2026
To avoid being a mark for unprincipled lenders, borrowers shouldn’t rush into refinancing without considering all their choices.

— Lew Sichelman, Miami Herald, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of unprincipled

Adjective

Talarico has sought to portray Paxton as corrupt and unethical, while Paxton has framed Talarico as a radical liberal.

— Alexis Guerrero, CBS News, 27 Oct. 2026
Also, many families of rare disease patients spend years creating databases, known as natural history studies, so they can be used as control groups in trials instead of giving patients a placebo, which is often impractical and unethical.

— Gerry Smith, CNBC, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of unethical

Browse Nearby Words

unscripted

unscrupulous

unscrupulousness

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“Unscrupulous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unscrupulous. Accessed 8 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of unscrupulous

adjective

Example Sentences

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