Definition

Adjective: 1. Lacking moral principles; willing to do dishonest or unethical things for personal gain: Describes a person or their actions that show no concern for what is right or fair. An unscrupulous person acts without hesitation to achieve their goals, even if it involves lying, cheating, or harming others. 2. Not restrained by scruples; unprincipled: Indicates a disregard for conscience or accepted standards of behavior.

Usage and Examples

• Describing a person's character:
  • The investigation revealed the CEO as an unscrupulous businessman who exploited his workers.
  • Beware of unscrupulous salespeople offering deals that seem too good to be true.
• Describing specific actions or methods:
  • He used unscrupulous tactics to win the contract.
  • The company's unscrupulous dumping of chemicals polluted the river.

Advanced Usage and Nuances

• The term often implies a calculating, deliberate choice to ignore ethics for an advantage, rather than a simple lapse in judgment.
• It is frequently used in contexts of business, politics, law, and sales to criticize predatory or corrupt behavior.
• "Unscrupulous in one's pursuit of...": This phrase highlights the specific goal for which principles are abandoned.
  • She was unscrupulous in her pursuit of fame, betraying several close friends.

Variants and Related Words

• Unscrupulously (adverb): In an unscrupulous manner.
  • He unscrupulously manipulated the data to support his theory.
• Unscrupulousness (noun): The quality of being unscrupulous.
  • The unscrupulousness of the scheme shocked the public.

Synonyms

• Unprincipled: Lacking moral principles.
• Unethical: Not conforming to approved standards of behavior.
• Dishonest: Behaving or prone to behave in an untrustworthy or fraudulent way.
• Ruthless: Having or showing no pity or compassion for others.
• Devious: Showing a skillful use of underhanded tactics to achieve goals.

Antonyms

• Scrupulous: Very concerned to avoid doing wrong; diligent and thorough.
• Principled: Acting in accordance with morality and showing recognition of right and wrong.
• Ethical: Conforming to accepted standards of conduct.
• Honest: Free of deceit; truthful and sincere.

Idioms and Common Phrases

• To stop at nothing: To be willing to do anything to achieve a goal, regardless of how wrong it is. This idiom conveys a similar sense of ruthless determination as "unscrupulous."
  • He would stop at nothing to destroy his rival. (Implies he is unscrupulous.)

Adjective

1. without scruples or principles
   • unscrupulous politicos who would be happy to sell...their country in order to gain power