What does unscrupulous mean?
Unscropical describes a person or course of conduct that shows little or no concern for honesty, fairness, or moral responsibility. The word is often applied to dishonest business practices, deceptive advertising, exploitation of vulnerable people, and the actions of people willing to gain by deceiving others. It is stronger and more accusatory than words such as careless or unfair: an unscrupulous action suggests that the person knows what is right but disregards it. Although the term can describe any deliberate violation of moral standards, it is especially common in reporting on business, finance, politics, and consumer protection. In everyday use, calling someone unscrupulous conveys both moral condemnation and the suspicion that their conduct involves calculated self-interest. The related word scrupulous has the opposite meaning, referring to people who are guided by careful ethical principles.
adjectiveLacking moral principles or ethical restraint; dishonest, exploitative, or willing to use unfair methods.
- Lacking moral integrity or ethical restraint, especially in conduct toward others.
"The company was accused of engaging in unscrupulous business practices to undercut its competitors."
"Several unscrupulous lenders exploited vulnerable borrowers with hidden fees and misleading terms."
"Her unscrupulous colleague took credit for work that she had completed."
Unscrupulous describes conduct that has crossed the line from merely clever to actively unfair.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Words that share this root
Related word forms
How unscrupulous is actually used
This is a strongly negative, formal term. It is commonly used for people, organizations, and behavior, and it suggests deliberate dishonesty or exploitation rather than simple carelessness.
Easily confused with unscrupulous
A scrupulous person has strong moral standards and acts carefully and ethically, whereas an unscrupulous person lacks such standards and may act dishonestly or exploitively.