scrupulously

American  

[skroo-pyuh-luhs-lee] / ˈskru pyə ləs li /

adverb

1. in a way that shows strict regard for moral standards or principles.

   He has a reputation as a consistently hardworking and scrupulously honest and fair newspaperman.

2. in a way that shows care or precision.

   The authors have scrupulously researched the culinary culture of the early 18th century.

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Other Word Forms

• hyperscrupulously
  adverb
• underscrupulously
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of scrupulously

scrupulous ( def. ) + -ly

Explanation

To do something scrupulously is to do it very carefully. It's the opposite of doing something sloppily. To be scrupulous is to be careful, exact, and conscientious, so to do something scrupulously is to give it close attention and to strive for perfection. Diligent workers do their jobs scrupulously. A teacher who provides students with extra tutoring is behaving scrupulously. An accountant who does your taxes scrupulously is not likely to make a mistake. The Latin root word is scrupulus, literally "a small, sharp stone," and figuratively meaning "uneasiness or pricking of conscience."

Example Sentences

Though scrupulously executed, they often look self-satisfied and rhetorical.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 1, 2026

He added: "The government has remained scrupulously neutral."

From BBC • Dec. 3, 2025

But the scrupulously low-key Rubio was not about to do it in public.

From Barron's • Oct. 9, 2025

The production, scrupulously directed by David Cromer, is deeply moving in its public-spirited vision.

From Los Angeles Times • May 1, 2025

The flat was scrupulously clean; the neighbor women had attended to that.

From "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" by Betty Smith

Related Words

• carefully
• meticulously