scrupulous
adjective
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People described as “scrupulous” might feel discomfort in anything that challenges their moral sensibilities. Such challenges might present a nagging feeling, much as a sharp pebble in a shoe might nag a walker intent on getting somewhere. And we are getting somewhere. The origin of scrupulous is founded in just such a pebble. Scrupulous and its close relative scruple (“a feeling that prevents you from doing something that you think is wrong”) both come from the Latin noun scrupulus, “a small sharp stone,” the diminutive of scrupus, “a sharp stone.” Scrupus has a metaphorical meaning too: “a source of anxiety or uneasiness.” When the adjective scrupulous entered the English language in the 15th century, it meant “principled,” as in “having moral integrity,” but it now also commonly means “painstaking” or “careful.”
Synonyms
Examples of scrupulous in a Sentence
James Ryerson, New York Times Book Review, 6 Nov. 2005
Most clients praise the lawyer effusively. Rubenstein declares that Grubman never represents both parties in any one matter, is scrupulous in disclosing his relations to all his clients and abides by the conflict rules of the legal profession.
—Johnnie L. Roberts, Newsweek, 6 Aug. 2001
Tax-shelter proliferation has reached such epidemic proportions that it has actually spurred a backlash among the more conscientious members of the tax profession. A few scrupulous tax lawyers have anonymously leaked details of shelter schemes to the IRS.
—Franklin Foer, New Republic, 5 June 2000
She was always scrupulous about her work.
The work requires scrupulous attention to detail.
Less scrupulous companies find ways to evade the law.
Jack Kelly, Forbes, 8 Oct. 2024
For a show based on a jewelry thief, Cooke was scrupulous about Joan’s accessories and used them as a means of transforming her from a young girl into a sophisticated lady.
—Hikmat Mohammed, WWD, 1 Oct. 2024
But not every fall smell has to be reminiscent of the season’s scrupulous baked goods.
—Michelle Mastro, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Sep. 2024
Even reducing one’s exposure can take scrupulous research and, often, money.
—Zoë Schlanger, The Atlantic, 19 Sep. 2024
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Dictionary Entries Near scrupulous
Cite this Entry
“Scrupulous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scrupulous. Accessed 8 Nov. 2024.
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scrupulous
adjective
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