SCRUPLE Synonyms: 245 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the noun 'scruple' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of scruple are compunction , demur , and qualm . While all these words mean "a misgiving about what one is doing or going to do," scruple implies doubt of the rightness of an act on grounds of principle. // no scruples against buying stolen goods

Q: In what contexts can 'compunction' take the place of 'scruple'?

The meanings of compunction and scruple largely overlap; however, compunction implies a spontaneous feeling of responsibility or compassion for a potential victim. // had compunctions about lying

Q: Where would 'demur' be a reasonable alternative to 'scruple'?

Although the words demur and scruple have much in common, demur implies hesitation caused by objection to an outside suggestion or influence. // accepted her decision without demur

Q: When could 'qualm' be used to replace 'scruple'?

The synonyms qualm and scruple are sometimes interchangeable, but qualm implies an uneasy fear that one is not following one's conscience or better judgment. // no qualms about plagiarizing

scruple 1 of 3

noun (1)

ˈskrü-pəl

Definition of scruple

as in shred

a very small amount went about her business without even a scruple of suspicion

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in speck

a very small piece left just a scruple of asparagus on the plate

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

scruple

2 of 3

noun (2)

as in doubt

an uneasy feeling about the rightness of what one is doing or going to do the survey showed that many students had few scruples about cheating on papers or exams

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

scruple

3 of 3

verb

as in to hesitate

to show uncertainty about the right course of action a tabloid journalist who has never scrupled to reveal the most intimate details about the lives of celebrities

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun scruple differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of scruple are compunction, demur, and qualm. While all these words mean "a misgiving about what one is doing or going to do," scruple implies doubt of the rightness of an act on grounds of principle.

no scruples against buying stolen goods

In what contexts can compunction take the place of scruple?

The meanings of compunction and scruple largely overlap; however, compunction implies a spontaneous feeling of responsibility or compassion for a potential victim.

had compunctions about lying

Where would demur be a reasonable alternative to scruple?

Although the words demur and scruple have much in common, demur implies hesitation caused by objection to an outside suggestion or influence.

accepted her decision without demur

When could qualm be used to replace scruple?

The synonyms qualm and scruple are sometimes interchangeable, but qualm implies an uneasy fear that one is not following one's conscience or better judgment.

no qualms about plagiarizing

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of scruple

Noun

And like any good femme fatale, Maddy is given savvy at the expense of moral scruple. — The Editors, Vulture, 30 Apr. 2026 But we’re invited to see him as, despite these foibles, amusing and retaining, and his cynicism about everything and his lack of moral scruple is—actually, we’re invited to see this as a kind of higher wisdom. — David Frum, The Atlantic, 25 Mar. 2026 But the squirrelly, middle-aged guy at the weird surplus store in northern Florida had no such scruples. — Alex Morris, Rolling Stone, 19 Mar. 2026 Sometimes, a billionaire has very questionable scruples as to the best ways to go about things. — Jevon Phillips, Los Angeles Times, 25 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for scruple

Recent Examples of Synonyms for scruple

Noun

Shouts of awe echoed behind as the final shred of the solar disk created a magnificent Diamond ring flare effect on the trailing edge of the lunar disk.

— Anthony Wood, Space.com, 26 Aug. 2026
The food is stellar, as is the service, but there isn’t a shred of pretence about any of it.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of shred

Noun

In most other franchises, a 4-2 road trip through two New York boroughs could calm the speculation, but one with such enormous standards — and that has already taken drastic action — doesn’t receive that benefit of the doubt.

— Chandler Rome, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
Without a doubt, opponents of the deal will seize on that as evidence of its being exploitative and will demand renegotiation on that basis.

— Michael Lynch, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of doubt

Verb

Changing the clock gets complicated There are reasons school districts that accept the science on adolescent sleep still hesitate to change their schedules.

— Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 25 Aug. 2026
Though her books continue to be adapted into movies and recurring series, Moriarty has always hesitated to write a sequel.

— Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of hesitate

Noun

The cuisine was also noteworthy, a generous choice of cocktails, wines, and cuisine with hints of contemporary English inspiration, while avoiding being British stodgy.

— Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 28 Aug. 2026
Warsh is unlikely to reveal his approach before the task forces report but at Jackson Hole the whole world will be looking for hints regarding his plans to reshape the Fed.

— Paul Wachtel, The Conversation, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of hint

Noun

The project will focus on developing a scalable process for producing highly uniform thorium-232 fuel particles for use in TRISO, or Tri-Structural Isotropic, nuclear fuel.

— Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 27 Aug. 2026
But thanks to atmospheric light scattering — the bouncing of photons off particles in the air — the area affected by the mirror's passage would be much wider, the study found.

— Tereza Pultarova, Space.com, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of particle

Verb

In the rest of the state, Graham prevailed — including in the Charleston area, where former governor and congressman Mark Sanford endorsed Norman after his own Senate campaign faltered.

— David Weigel, semafor.com, 26 Aug. 2026
The same list of conditions is relevant to the debates about our faltering literacy.

— Christopher Coffman, The Conversation, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of falter

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scrunching

scruple

scrupled

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“Scruple.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scruple. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of scruple

noun (1)

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verb

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8 Words for Small Amounts

How many scruples in a dram?

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Synonyms of scruple

noun (1)

noun (2)

verb

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Articles Related to scruple

8 Words for Small Amounts

How many scruples in a dram?

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on scruple

More from Merriam-Webster

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