What does scruple mean?
Scruple most often refers to a moral principle that prevents or discourages someone from acting in a particular way. It can also denote a feeling of ethical unease or hesitation, especially when a course of action seems dishonest, unfair, or improper. The related verb means to hesitate or refuse to act because of such a moral objection. For example, someone may have scruples about accepting a gift, using deception, or publishing controversial material. The word is usually neutral or approving in connotation: possessing scruples suggests conscience, integrity, and sensitivity to right and wrong, while being described as without scruples implies moral laxity or indifference. In plural form, “scruples” is especially common when discussing ethical reservations. Although scruple is less frequent than the more everyday words conscience and concern, it is useful because it conveys a formal, distinctly moral sense of restraint or doubt.
A moral principle, ethical consideration, or feeling of doubt and unease that restrains or complicates someone's actions.
"He had always acted without scruple in matters of personal advantage."
Often used in the plural when referring generally to ethical reservations.
To hesitate or refuse to do something because of a moral or ethical objection.
"She scrupled to take credit for work that others had contributed to."
Commonly followed by an infinitive, as in “scruple to do something.”
The plural is common when several moral objections or ethical reservations are implied.
"She had no scruples about disclosing the source of the information."
Scruple began life as a tiny stone: its modern sense of moral hesitation grew from the idea of a troublesome pebble in the mind.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does scruple come from?
Scruple entered English through Old French scruple from Latin scrupulus, meaning “small stone” or “pebble.” Its figurative sense developed by extension from a small physical obstruction to an intellectual or moral snag, comparable to a troublesome stone interrupting one's thoughts or actions. The same Latin root also produced forms such as scrupulous and scrupulosity, which reflect the idea of careful attention or small, troublesome details.
Related word forms
How scruple is actually used
The noun is formal to literary in tone and is especially associated with morality, conscience, and intellectual honesty. The verb is also relatively formal and commonly appears in constructions such as “scruple to do something.”
Easily confused with scruple
A scruple is an ethical principle or feeling of doubt, whereas scrupulous is an adjective meaning highly conscientious or attentive to detail.