unscrupulous

adjective

un·​scru·​pu·​lous ˌən-ˈskrü-pyə-ləs How to pronounce unscrupulous (audio)
Synonyms of unscrupulousnext
: not scrupulous : unprincipled
… replicas that unscrupulous shopkeepers may sometimes try to palm off as the real thing.Geri Trotta
unscrupulously adverb
unscrupulousness noun

Examples of unscrupulous in a Sentence

an unscrupulous businessman manipulated them into selling their land for practically nothing
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Charlie sets out to retrieve the child, even though doing so will put him at odds with unscrupulous men on both sides of the border. Alexander Nazaryan, New Yorker, 10 Feb. 2026 Her unscrupulous, power-hungry uncle Claudius (Kôji Yakusho) murders his own brother to become king. Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2026 Some also accused unscrupulous recruitment agents or Russian colleagues of stealing from their bank accounts. Larry Madowo, CNN Money, 4 Feb. 2026 The administration stunned Medicare Advantage insurers and their investors by proposing a minuscule pay raise for 2027 and, more importantly, another series of policies that intend to root out unscrupulous behaviors that insurers have used to elevate profits. Bob Herman, STAT, 28 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for unscrupulous

Word History

First Known Use

1803, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of unscrupulous was in 1803

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Cite this Entry

“Unscrupulous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unscrupulous. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.

Kids Definition

unscrupulous

adjective
un·​scru·​pu·​lous ˌən-ˈskrü-pyə-ləs How to pronounce unscrupulous (audio)
ˈən-
: not scrupulous : unprincipled
unscrupulously adverb
unscrupulousness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on unscrupulous

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