English vocabulary · C2
Unscrupulous
/ʌnˈskruː.pjə.ləs/ · adj.
An unscrupulous person will lie or cheat to get what they want. They do not care who gets hurt as long as they get more for themselves.
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Example sentences
- An unscrupulous seller hid rot.
- Unscrupulous thieves stole cash.
Word origin and roots
- un — not (from Old English)
- scrupul — doubt (from Latin)
Synonyms and nuances
- DISHONEST — willing to tell lies (Hides The Truth)
- CROOKED — dishonest and unfair (Gets Ahead By Cheating)
- CORRUPT — dishonest for personal gain (Abuses Trusted Power)
Words with the same root
scrupul — doubt
- scrupulous — careful to do right
Lesson notes
An unscrupulous person will lie or cheat to get what they want. They do not care who gets hurt as long as they get more for themselves.
Related: dishonest, crooked, corrupt. Use unscrupulous when gain comes first.
An unscrupulous seller hid rot. Unscrupulous thieves stole cash.
Un- means not. Scrupul- means doubt. Not one doubt stops the unscrupulous seller from selling bad food.