unscrupulous

adjective

un·​scru·​pu·​lous ˌən-ˈskrü-pyə-ləs How to pronounce unscrupulous (audio)
: not scrupulous : unprincipled
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.
Before the arrest, some indignant residents took to social media to speculate about a possible motive — alleging without proof that unscrupulous developers or even the city itself may have orchestrated the acts. Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 24 Apr. 2025 This was meant to prevent unscrupulous spammers from being able to send unauthenticated email that could come complete with a nefarious payload. Davey Winder, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025 The second suit, brought by the City of Baltimore, charges sportsbooks DraftKings and FanDuel with unscrupulous promotional tactics prodding users toward irresponsible gambling. David B. McGarry, Baltimore Sun, 21 Apr. 2025 Everyone in Hollywood figured Glick was based on the outsized personality and (allegedly) unscrupulous behavior of screenwriter turned producer Jerry Wald. Thomas Doherty, HollywoodReporter, 20 Apr. 2025 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Unscrupulous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unscrupulous. Accessed 2 May. 2025.

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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