scruples

[skroo-puhlz]

noun

1. the plural of scruple; moral or ethical considerations or standards that act as a restraining force or inhibit certain actions.

   He has no scruples about sacrificing a friend to save his own hide.

   The shop was without scruples about using the competition's advertisements against them.

   Her scruples about drinking assuaged, she decided to order some wine.

Word History and Origins

Origin of scruples¹

First recorded in 1520–30; scruple ( def. ) + -s ³ ( def. )

Example Sentences

Employees in these movies come to the conclusion their boss lacks scruples, boundaries or the qualifications to have the job.

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Along with White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, the heads of these agencies don’t have many scruples when it comes to this policy.

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The convicted sex offender who died in a Manhattan jail cell in 2019 had a low opinion of his former associate, feeling that he had "no scruples" and could not be trusted.

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But with Kamala Harris and a smattering of small-party candidates the only other options this November, Wade is putting his scruples to one side.

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Some may have otherwise been stolen by Western visitors with less scruples to be sold on the lucrative European and American artefacts market.

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Related Words

• ethic 
• integrity 
• morality