scrupulously
Americanadverb
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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.
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in a way that shows care or precision.
The authors have scrupulously researched the culinary culture of the early 18th century.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of scrupulously
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."
Vocabulary lists containing scrupulously
The Giver
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Ender's Game
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Just Mercy
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The Times, CNN, and other outlets that have covered the imbroglio have scrupulously avoided using the word affair.
From Slate ● Aug. 21, 2026
A scrupulously honest adviser with no conflicts of interest can still give you advice that loses a lot of money.
From MarketWatch ● Jun. 16, 2026
While the museum representation is scrupulously faithful to what is known of the original vessel's design and dimensions, it was built largely with fibreglass and other man-made materials.
From Barron's ● Apr. 28, 2026
On Wednesday Deputy Secretary Christopher Landau used X to demand that Honduran “electoral authorities and the military . . . adhere scrupulously and faithfully to the laws and Constitution of Honduras.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 16, 2025
So many ways to screw the pooch, and just one staggeringly complex, scrupulously modeled, endlessly rehearsed, indefatigably tested way to succeed.
From "Hidden Figures" by Margot Lee Shetterly
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Get a wordDefinitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
