What does scrupling mean?
Scrupling denotes a hesitation prompted by conscience, moral principles, or a sense of ethical obligation. It is more specific than ordinary indecision: the person is not simply uncertain, but aware of a possible ethical problem and reluctant to proceed. The expression 'without scrupling' indicates that someone acts readily and without moral unease, while 'after some scrupling' describes a decision delayed by such concern. As the present participle of 'scruple,' scrupling means to hesitate for ethical reasons. Although the word is formal and somewhat literary, it remains useful because it captures the specific tension between recognizing a moral question and feeling obliged to act according to one's principles. The related adjective 'scrupulous' conveys careful ethical conduct rather than the hesitation itself.
Hesitation or reluctance caused by a moral or ethical scruple.
"He accepted the appointment without scrupling."
Usually used in a formal or literary register.
Hesitate or be reluctant because of a moral or ethical concern.
"She scrupled before agreeing to use the confidential material."
Used as the present participle of 'scruple.'
The plural is uncommon; the word is usually found in singular constructions such as 'without scrupling.'
"He proceeded despite his scruplings."
Scrupling is what happens when conscience briefly holds you back before you act.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does scrupling come from?
The word comes from Latin 'scrupulus,' meaning a small stone or pebble and, figuratively, a source of doubt or difficulty. In English, 'scruple' developed a sense of moral hesitation before the present participle 'scrupling' and the verbal noun developed from it. The same Latin root also underlies 'scrupulous' and 'scrupulosity,' which retain the ideas of small details and careful ethical scrutiny.
How scrupling is actually used
The word is formal and relatively uncommon. It usually suggests a considered moral hesitation rather than ordinary indecision. In modern usage, it most often appears in the expression 'without scrupling' or in forms such as 'moral scrupling.'