unscrupulous

1 of 2

adjective

un·​scru·​pu·​lous ˌən-ˈskrü-pyə-ləs 

: not scrupulous : unprincipled

… replicas that unscrupulous shopkeepers may sometimes try to palm off as the real thing.

—Geri Trotta

unscrupulously adverb

unscrupulousness noun

unscrupulousness

2 of 2

noun

un·​scrupulousness

"+

: the quality or state of being unscrupulous

Synonyms of unscrupulous

Adjective

• immoral
• ruthless
• corrupt
• unprincipled
• unethical

Examples of unscrupulous in a Sentence

Adjective

an unscrupulous businessman manipulated them into selling their land for practically nothing

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

An unscrupulous realtor had sold the family a home in an all-white neighborhood. — Briauna Brown, CBS News, 7 Oct. 2026

In searching for her niece, Jones is forced to grapple with not only her past, but also an unscrupulous music industry. — Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 7 Oct. 2026

Early 2020s prestige television skewered the rich and unscrupulous. — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 2 Oct. 2026

But, argue the plaintiffs, the Nazis’ lists were often modified at the request of unscrupulous dealers. — Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 25 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1803, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for unscrupulous

• scrupulous

Kids Definition

unscrupulous

adjective

un·​scru·​pu·​lous ˌən-ˈskrü-pyə-ləs 

ˈən-

: not scrupulous : unprincipled

unscrupulously adverb

unscrupulousness noun