Definition of scrupulousnext
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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective scrupulous differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of scrupulous are conscientious, honest, honorable, just, and upright. While all these words mean "having or showing a strict regard for what is morally right," conscientious and scrupulous imply an active moral sense governing all one's actions and painstaking efforts to follow one's conscience.

conscientious in the completion of her assignments
scrupulous in carrying out the terms of the will

When could honest be used to replace scrupulous?

In some situations, the words honest and scrupulous are roughly equivalent. However, honest stresses adherence to such virtues as truthfulness, candor, or fairness.

known for being honest in business dealings

When would honorable be a good substitute for scrupulous?

The words honorable and scrupulous are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, honorable suggests a firm holding to codes of right behavior and the guidance of a high sense of honor and duty.

a difficult but honorable decision

When might just be a better fit than scrupulous?

The words just and scrupulous can be used in similar contexts, but just stresses conscious choice and regular practice of what is right or equitable.

workers given just compensation

When is it sensible to use upright instead of scrupulous?

While in some cases nearly identical to scrupulous, upright implies a strict adherence to moral principles.

a stern and upright minister

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of scrupulous Wall Street is taking a more scrupulous look at AI companies’ earnings results. John Towfighi, CNN Money, 11 Dec. 2025 Brighton & Hove Albion have discovered to their cost that intense global interest attached to every move and kick in the Premier League requires scrupulous attention to detail. Andy Naylor, New York Times, 3 Dec. 2025 All under Guadagnino’s scrupulous direction and cinematographer Malik Sayeed’s (Belly) visualization, the performative guise of Ivy League school decorum delivers as the perfect dichotomy to the serious nature of what these characters put each other through. Malik Peay, Essence, 9 Oct. 2025 The Sweet Dove Died is a scrupulous novel. Literary Hub, 15 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for scrupulous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scrupulous
Adjective
  • The people in Japan are so honorable.
    Matt Bomer, HollywoodReporter, 24 Mar. 2026
  • Third team Gonzaga senior Graham Ike, an honorable-mention pick two years ago, earned third-team honors this season.
    Dave Skretta, Chicago Tribune, 17 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Soderbergh extracts some fun from the ensuing cat-and-mouse logistics, from Lori’s meticulous duplication of the Christophers to Julian’s efforts to bluff her into admitting her true intentions.
    Justin Chang, New Yorker, 3 Apr. 2026
  • The Astor family were the defining dynasty of New York's Gilded Age, and that spirit of grandeur and meticulous hosting has traveled with the brand ever since.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • This conscientious engagement is well-suited for futures, which often reward market awareness and preparation.
    Wyles Daniel, Sacbee.com, 24 Mar. 2026
  • The retreat’s quiet atmosphere and conscientious design reflect their belief in the restorative powers of simplicity, reflection, and connection with nature.
    Kelsey Eisen, Robb Report, 19 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Orion is a tight space for four people to navigate, so the crew members have a careful choreography to maximize the data the astronauts can gather.
    Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 4 Apr. 2026
  • Through careful tuning of an extended Kalman filter and by taking advantage of bamboo’s natural vibration-damping properties, the system slashes control latency from 15–20 milliseconds down to just 8–10 milliseconds, enhancing responsiveness while keeping flight stable.
    Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 4 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Interdependence is not an ethical aspiration but a condition of life itself.
    Manuela Moscoso, Artforum, 2 Apr. 2026
  • Experience this extraordinary vision yourself during an ethical tour, hotel stay or park visit that puts the animals first.
    Catherine Garcia, TheWeek, 2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • In the immediate aftermath of the shooting, Daniel is choosing to remember Allison as a loving individual who spent her last moments taking care of her friend in need.
    Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 29 Mar. 2026
  • Audrey Jones described her brother — who left behind two children — as loving, kind and compassionate.
    Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Back home, humans have bonded with aiyi, a species of near-omnipotent artificial intelligence that operates according to its own moral code.
    Stephanie Burt, New Yorker, 1 Apr. 2026
  • One is 1969’s Paul Mazursky comedy, Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice in which two couples wind up over their heads in stretching the moral limits of their relationships in an ever-changing society.
    Pete Hammond, Deadline, 31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Some reviewers are unhappy with slow results — but Hers products are most effective when used consistently for a minimum of three months, and there’s no way of knowing how diligent these reviewers were.
    Rebecca Strong, USA Today, 25 Mar. 2026
  • Herzog depicts the bushmen who aid Boyes as dignified, diligent and intelligent without romanticizing them while capturing the rugged beauty of the African landscape.
    Stuart Miller, Los Angeles Times, 24 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Scrupulous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scrupulous. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.

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