WordValescrupulous
diligent, thorough, and careful about doing right
careful to do what is right
In more detail
1. (adjective) very careful and precise, paying close attention to details and doing things correctly
2. (adjective) honest and having strong moral principles; careful to do what is right
Examples
- 1. The accountant was scrupulous in recording every expense.
- 2. She was scrupulous about always telling the truth.
How to use scrupulous
Scrupulous combines precision with integrity, emphasizing both meticulous attention and moral conscientiousness. It is more formal and principled than merely careful, and suggests a strong commitment to correctness and ethics. Use it when describing someone's rigorous, honest approach to work or conduct.
Common phrases
- scrupulous attention to detail
- scrupulous honesty
- scrupulous care
- scrupulous record-keeping
- scrupulous standards
Synonyms
meticulous · conscientious · punctilious · careful · diligent
Opposites
careless · unethical · negligent
Word family
scrupulously (adverb) · scrupulousness (noun)
A common mistake
Learners sometimes confuse scrupulous with superstitious, which comes from the same Latin root but means something entirely different.
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