Scrupulous
adjective /ˈskruːpjʊləs/ — Careful to the point of conscience — doing it right because anything else wouldn't sit well.
Definition
Very careful, thorough, and conscientious about details or honesty; having strong moral standards.
Beyond the definition
Scrupulous is thoroughness with a moral dimension. The scrupulous person isn't just meticulous — they care about doing it right, not just doing it well. It carries a quiet integrity.
Origin & history
From Latin scrupulosus — full of small sharp stones (scrupulus: small sharp stone, worry). A scruple was literally a tiny weight — and by extension, a nagging anxiety about whether something was right.
Example sentences
Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.
She was scrupulous about attribution — every idea credited, no exceptions.
His scrupulous attention to the contract protected them from a clause no one else had caught.
There's a quiet dignity in being scrupulous — it asks more of you than what's required.
How to use it
This entry uses an adjective. Follow the examples for the nouns it describes and its position in the sentence.
Choose “Scrupulous” when the meaning fits your context: Very careful, thorough, and conscientious about details or honesty; having strong moral standards.
Synonyms
meticulous, thorough, conscientious, principled, careful, precise
Antonyms
careless, dishonest, negligent, reckless
Related words
Word in the Wild
See how this word appears in life, language and stories.
Illustrative sentences and imagined stories for learning — not verified sightings, interviews, or sourced quotations.
Fictional scene
Restorer Working on Mosaic
A restorer sits at a desk using a magnifying glass to carefully adjust a tiny, delicate piece within a complex ancient mosaic pattern.
Scrupulous means very careful and thorough about details. The restorer’s intense concentration and devoted, precise patience toward each tiny fragment of the mosaic illustrate this, as they treat the work with the highest standard of care, ensuring every small detail is perfectly and honestly aligned.
Image credit: Wordspun · AI-generated conceptual illustration
Questions about this word
What does "Scrupulous" mean?
Scrupulous is adjective meaning: Careful to the point of conscience — doing it right because anything else wouldn't sit well.. Very careful, thorough, and conscientious about details or honesty; having strong moral standards.
Where does the word "Scrupulous" come from?
From Latin scrupulosus — full of small sharp stones (scrupulus: small sharp stone, worry). A scruple was literally a tiny weight — and by extension, a nagging anxiety about whether something was right.