View synonyms for scruples

scruples

[ skroo-puhlz ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

the plural of scruple; moral or ethical considerations or standards that act as a restraining force or inhibit certain actions:
He has no scruples about sacrificing a friend to save his own hide.
The shop was without scruples about using the competition's advertisements against them.
Her scruples about drinking assuaged, she decided to order some wine.

First recorded in 1520–30; scruple ( def ) + -s ³( def )

Mengele has neither doubts about his hideous purpose or scruples about his heinous past.

Had it been anybody but Tessie I should not have bothered my head about scruples.

Professor Dave Jennings, a disenchanted English teacher played by Donald Sutherland, has far less scruples.

I like you the better, Mr Allcraft, for your scruples: you are an honourable man, sir.

Baroudi was as totally devoid of ordinary scruples as the average well-bred Englishman is full of them.

He was upright, honorable, and virtuous; entertaining religious scruples similar to the Friends.

His master may be a man of some conscientious scruples; ours may be unmerciful.

"Yes," I answered, trying to quiet the scruples which this way of living awoke in me from time to time.

April 18, 2024petrichor

[pet-ri-kawr]

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