scruple
gb/skɹˈupəl/ us/skɹˈupəl/
C1
English
~ 8300
Senses
0 senses
Noun
C1
state
1
moral doubt that holds you back
A feeling that something may be wrong or bad to do, which makes you not want to do it.
Usage pattern:
[someone] has (no) scruples about [doing something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse "scruple" with "scrupled" or "scrupulous." "Scruple" is usually a noun meaning moral doubt, often used in the plural ("have no scruples about"). "Scrupulous" is an adjective meaning very careful and honest.
Synonyms
qualms (Very close in meaning; suggests nervous doubt or worry about whether something is right.)
|
conscience (Refers to the inner sense of right and wrong in general, not just a specific moment of doubt.)
|
compunction (More formal; a sharp feeling of guilt or regret that stops or troubles someone.)
Antonyms
ruthlessness (Lack of concern for others or for moral rules; no hesitation about doing harm.)
|
unscrupulousness (Direct opposite; a complete lack of moral principles or scruples.)
Collocations
have scruples
|no scruples about
|moral scruples
|religious scruples
|overcome his scruples
|a man of scruples
Themes
ethics
|emotions
|personality
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- He had no scruples about lying to get the job.
- Her scruples stopped her from sharing the confidential information.
- The company seemed to operate without moral scruples of any kind.
- Despite his scruples, he agreed to keep the secret.
- Out of scruple, she refused to use data that had been obtained illegally.
Learner examples
- She has no scruples about cheating on tests.
- His scruples will not let him steal money.
- I had scruples about taking credit for her work.
- They acted without scruples and hurt many people.
- Because of his strong scruples, he always tries to do the right thing.
Noun
literary
C2
quantity
2
a tiny amount of a quality
A very, very small amount of something, usually a feeling or quality, often used to say there is none at all.
Usage pattern:
not a scruple of [abstract noun]
Common mistake:
Learners may expect "scruple" to mean a small physical amount like "a bit" of sugar. In modern English, this sense is mostly used with abstract nouns like doubt, remorse, or pity, and often in negative phrases such as "not a scruple of X."
Synonyms
a shred (Very close; often used of feelings like evidence, hope, or remorse in negative phrases.)
|
an ounce (Common in similar expressions ("not an ounce of"), slightly more informal and concrete.)
Antonyms
a great deal (Contrasts with the idea of a tiny or non‑existent amount.)
Collocations
not a scruple of remorse
|not a scruple of honesty
|without a scruple of doubt
|a scruple of pity
|a scruple of decency
Themes
quantity
|emphasis
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- He showed not a scruple of remorse after the scandal.
- There was not a scruple of honesty in the whole arrangement.
- She acted without a scruple of doubt about the consequences.
- He felt a scruple of pity but still refused to help.
- They displayed not a scruple of decency during the argument.
Learner examples
- He has not a scruple of fear in his voice.
- She did it without a scruple of doubt.
- They showed not a scruple of kindness to the workers.
- I do not feel even a scruple of regret.
- There was not a scruple of truth in his story.
Verb
formal
C2
action
3
hesitate for moral reasons
To stop or be slow to do something because you think it may be bad or wrong.
Usage pattern:
[someone] scruples to [do something] / scruples at [doing something]
Common mistake:
Learners may try to use "scruple" as a verb in casual speech where it sounds too formal or old‑fashioned. In modern English, it is mostly used in formal or literary writing, often in phrases like "did not scruple to" or "scrupled to."
Synonyms
hesitate (More general; may be due to fear, uncertainty, or delay, not specifically moral reasons.)
|
shrink (In this sense ("shrink from"), suggests drawing back from something unpleasant or wrong; slightly literary like "scruple.")
Antonyms
dare (In context, suggests going ahead and doing something bold or possibly wrong without moral hesitation.)
Collocations
scruples to act
|scruples to interfere
|scruples at lying
|did not scruple to
|never scrupled to
Themes
ethics
|emotions
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- He did not scruple to use false documents to close the deal.
- They scrupled to interfere in what they saw as a family matter.
- She never scrupled at bending the rules when it suited her.
- The government did not scruple to silence its critics.
- I would not scruple to report him if he broke the law again.
Learner examples
- He did not scruple to lie to his boss.
- They scrupled to tell her the bad news at once.
- She never scruples at breaking small rules.
- I would not scruple to call the police if needed.
- The company did not scruple to fire many workers.
Noun
technical
C2
quantity
4
old apothecary weight unit
An old unit for measuring weight in medicine, about 1.3 grams, that is not used in normal life today.
Usage pattern:
[number] scruples of [substance]
Common mistake:
Learners may think this meaning is common in modern medical practice. In fact, it is mainly found in historical, technical, or very specialized contexts.
Synonyms
apothecaries' unit (General description rather than an exact synonym; indicates the specific measurement system.)
Antonyms
gram (Not a true opposite, but a modern standard metric unit that has replaced such historical measures.)
Collocations
one scruple
|two scruples
|scruples of opium
|scruples of powder
Themes
measurement
|science
|history
|time
Examples
- The old prescription called for one scruple of the powdered root.
- In historical texts, doses are often recorded in grains and scruples.
- A scruple in the apothecary system is equal to twenty grains.
- The manual listed the herb in quantities of drachms, scruples, and grains.
- He studied how a scruple compared to a modern gram.
Learner examples
- The old book says to use one scruple of the drug.
- A scruple is an old medical weight unit.
- Doctors today do not use scruples to measure medicine.
- One scruple is about 1.3 grams.
- The recipe in the history text uses scruples and grains.
Grammar
Dictionary form
scruple
IPA
GB/skɹˈupəl/
US/skɹˈupəl/
Syllables & stress
scruple (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (scruple)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: scruple
- Plural: scruple, scruples
Verb
- Base: scruple
- 3rd Person Singular: scruples
- Present Participle: scrupling
- Past: scrupled
Word family
Forms
scruples
noun
scrupling
verb
scrupled
verb
Core family
scrupulous
adjective C1
scrupulously
adverb
Negative and opposite forms
unscrupulous
adjective C1
unscrupulously
adverb
Advanced or less common
scrupulousness
noun
Expressions
have no scruples about
1/hˈæv nˈoʊ skɹˈupəlz əbˈaʊt/
fixed phrase
be willing to act without ethics
To be ready to do something, even if it is wrong or unfair, without feeling bad or unsure about it.
Examples
- They have no scruples about cutting jobs to increase profits.
- He had no scruples about lying to protect his reputation.
- The company seems to have no scruples about using child labor.
have scruples about
1/hˈæv skɹˈupəlz əbˈaʊt/
fixed phrase
feel moral doubt about doing
To feel that something may be wrong or bad to do, so you are not sure if you should do it.
Examples
- She has serious scruples about testing the product on animals.
- Many voters have scruples about supporting a candidate with such a record.
- I have some scruples about accepting such an expensive gift.
not a scruple of
1/nˈɑt ə skɹˈupəl əv/
fixed phrase
literary
not even the smallest amount
Not even the smallest amount of a feeling or quality, often used for strong criticism.
Examples
- He showed not a scruple of remorse after the verdict.
- There is not a scruple of honesty in that offer.
- She felt not a scruple of fear as she spoke.
without a scruple of
1/wɪðˈaʊt ə skɹˈupəl əv/
fixed phrase
literary
with no trace of a quality
With no amount at all of a certain feeling or quality, for example pity, doubt, or mercy.
Examples
- They acted without a scruple of pity toward the refugees.
- He took the money without a scruple of doubt.
- She criticized him without a scruple of mercy.