scruple
gb/skɹˈupəl/ us/skɹˈupəl/
C1
Inglês
~ 8300
Aceções
0 aceções
Nome
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.
Padrão de uso:
[someone] has (no) scruples about [doing something]
Erro comum:
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.
Sinónimos
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.)
Antónimos
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.)
Colocações
have scruples
|no scruples about
|moral scruples
|religious scruples
|overcome his scruples
|a man of scruples
Temas
ethics
|emotions
|personality
|core_vocabulary
Exemplos
- 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.
Exemplos para aprendentes
- 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.
Nome
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.
Padrão de uso:
not a scruple of [abstract noun]
Erro comum:
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."
Sinónimos
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.)
Antónimos
a great deal (Contrasts with the idea of a tiny or non‑existent amount.)
Colocações
not a scruple of remorse
|not a scruple of honesty
|without a scruple of doubt
|a scruple of pity
|a scruple of decency
Temas
quantity
|emphasis
|core_vocabulary
Exemplos
- 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.
Exemplos para aprendentes
- 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.
Verbo
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.
Padrão de uso:
[someone] scruples to [do something] / scruples at [doing something]
Erro comum:
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."
Sinónimos
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.")
Antónimos
dare (In context, suggests going ahead and doing something bold or possibly wrong without moral hesitation.)
Colocações
scruples to act
|scruples to interfere
|scruples at lying
|did not scruple to
|never scrupled to
Temas
ethics
|emotions
|core_vocabulary
Exemplos
- 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.
Exemplos para aprendentes
- 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.
Nome
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.
Padrão de uso:
[number] scruples of [substance]
Erro comum:
Learners may think this meaning is common in modern medical practice. In fact, it is mainly found in historical, technical, or very specialized contexts.
Sinónimos
apothecaries' unit (General description rather than an exact synonym; indicates the specific measurement system.)
Antónimos
gram (Not a true opposite, but a modern standard metric unit that has replaced such historical measures.)
Colocações
one scruple
|two scruples
|scruples of opium
|scruples of powder
Temas
measurement
|science
|history
|time
Exemplos
- 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.
Exemplos para aprendentes
- 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.
Gramática
Forma de dicionário
scruple
IPA
GB/skɹˈupəl/
US/skɹˈupəl/
Sílabas e acento
scruple (1 sílaba)
Stress on 1st syllable (scruple)
Formas da palavra
Noun
- Base: scruple
- Plural: scruple, scruples
Verb
- Base: scruple
- 3rd Person Singular: scruples
- Present Participle: scrupling
- Past: scrupled
Família de palavras
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
Expressões
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.
Exemplos
- 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.
Exemplos
- 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.
Exemplos
- 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.
Exemplos
- 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.