SCRUPULOUS Synonyms: 148 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

scrupulous

adjective

ˈskrü-pyə-ləs

Definition of scrupulous next

as in honorable

guided by or in accordance with one's sense of right and wrong an exemplar of morality who was scrupulous in all of his dealings

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in meticulous

taking, showing, or involving great care and effort a scrupulous attention to detail is evident in all of his reporting

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 Evidence Action stopped soliciting funds for it and later shut it down — an unusually scrupulous move for a charity. —

Dylan Matthews, Vox, 26 Nov. 2018 Improvements were barely perceptible to begin with but my doctor’s strategies proved helpful in time: a very dull and scrupulous diet, herbs for liver support, daily sweating, and crucially, charcoal tablets that bind with mould. —

Melissa Kenny, refinery29.com, 30 Oct. 2024 Paragon, which characterizes itself as a scrupulous kind of spyware maker, is likely responding to the US government’s global push for responsible surveillance. —

Vas Panagiotopoulos, WIRED, 1 Oct. 2024 Russia's dependence on fuel exports to Europe would be just as great even with a team of committed democrats and scrupulous public servants running the Kremlin. —

Andrei Shleifer, Foreign Affairs, 1 Jan. 2011 See all Example Sentences for scrupulous

Recent Examples of Synonyms for scrupulous

Adjective

Their legacy and honorable service to our Nation will forever remain.

— Dan Perry, Newsweek, 31 Jan. 2025
This only further confirmed to me that Justin and Wayfarer are exceedingly honorable and highly ethical.

— Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 23 Jan. 2025