scruple
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.
[someone] has (no) scruples about [doing something]
- 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.
- 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.
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.
not a scruple of [abstract noun]
- 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.
- 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.
hesitate for moral reasons
To stop or be slow to do something because you think it may be bad or wrong.
[someone] scruples to [do something] / scruples at [doing something]
- 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.
- 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.
old apothecary weight unit
An old unit for measuring weight in medicine, about 1.3 grams, that is not used in normal life today.
[number] scruples of [substance]
- 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.
- 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.
- Base: scruple
- Plural: scruple, scruples
- Base: scruple
- 3rd Person Singular: scruples
- Present Participle: scrupling
- Past: scrupled
have no scruples about
1be 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.
- 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
1feel 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.
- 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
1not even the smallest amount
Not even the smallest amount of a feeling or quality, often used for strong criticism.
- 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
1with no trace of a quality
With no amount at all of a certain feeling or quality, for example pity, doubt, or mercy.
- 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.