Definition

1. Noun:

   • An ethical or moral principle that inhibits action: A feeling of doubt or hesitation arising from one's conscience about the rightness or wrongness of an action.
   • Uneasiness about the fitness of an action: A feeling of doubt, guilt, or moral uncertainty that prevents one from acting hastily.
   • A unit of apothecary weight equal to 20 grains: A small unit of measurement used historically in pharmacy, equivalent to about 1.3 grams.

2. Verb:

   • To hesitate or be reluctant to do something because of moral doubts: To feel uneasy or have qualms about an action on ethical grounds.
   • To have doubts about: To be uncertain or question the propriety of something.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:

  • She had scruples about accepting the gift, fearing it was a bribe.
  • He is a man of no scruples, willing to do anything for money.
  • The apothecary measured the medicine using a weight of one scruple.

• Verb:

  • He did not scruple to lie to protect his friend.
  • They scrupled over the decision, wanting to ensure it was ethically sound.

Advanced Usage

• "To have scruples about (doing) something": To feel moral doubts or reservations concerning a specific action.

  • I have scruples about investing in that company because of its environmental record.

• "To make no scruple to do something": To do something without any hesitation or moral qualms.

  • He made no scruple to use confidential information for his own gain.

• "To make scruple": (Archaic) To hesitate or express reluctance on moral grounds.

  • She did not make scruple to voice her strong opposition.

Variants and Related Words

• Scrupulous (adj.): Very careful, thorough, and attentive to details, especially regarding moral standards.
  • She is scrupulous in her accounting practices.
• Unscrupulous (adj.): Having or showing no moral principles; not honest or fair.
  • An unscrupulous salesman took advantage of the elderly couple.

Synonyms

• Noun (moral doubt): Qualm, compunction, misgiving, hesitation, reservation.
• Verb (to hesitate morally): Demur, balk, waver, hesitate.

Related Phrases

• "A man/woman of no scruples": A person who acts without moral restraint.
  • The politician was seen as a man of no scruples.
• "Without scruple": Acting without moral hesitation or doubt.
  • He pursued power without scruple.

Noun

1. an ethical or moral principle that inhibits action
2. uneasiness about the fitness of an action
3. a unit of apothecary weight equal to 20 grains

Verb

1. have doubts about
2. raise scruples
   • He lied and did not even scruple about it
3. hesitate on moral grounds
   • The man scrupled to perjure himself