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- pronunciation:
- skru
p
 l
- parts of speech:
- noun, intransitive verb
- features:
- Word Combinations (noun, verb), Word History
| part of speech: |
noun |
| definition 1: |
a moral or ethical consideration or doubt that gives rise to uneasiness, hesitation, or restraint; qualm.
The man had no scruples and didn't think twice before swindling the old couple out of their savings.- synonyms:
- compunction, qualm
- similar words:
- doubt, hesitation, misgiving, pang, principle, twinge
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| definition 2: |
a unit of apothecaries' weight equal to twenty grains or 1.296 grams.
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| definition 3: |
a tiny part or quantity.
- similar words:
- crumb, iota, particle, speck
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| related words: |
twinge |
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| part of speech: |
intransitive verb |
| inflections: |
scruples, scrupling, scrupled |
| definition: |
to refrain for ethical or moral reasons; have scruples.
- similar words:
- balk, demur, falter, halt, hesitate, pause, refuse, shy
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| related words: |
demur, halt, hesitate, refuse |
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| derivation: |
scrupleless (adj.) |
Scruple comes from a Latin word that means "small sharp stone or pebble."
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