Unscrupulous

/ʌnˈskruːpjələs/ adjective

Definition

Willing to do dishonest or unfair things without feeling guilty about it; lacking moral principles or honesty.

Etymology

From 'un-' + 'scrupulous,' where 'scrupulous' comes from Latin 'scrupulosus' (anxious, doubtful) and 'scrupus' meaning 'a sharp stone' or 'something that pricks.' Originally 'scrupulous' meant being bothered by doubts; its opposite means having no such conscience.

Kelly Says

The Latin root 'scrupus' literally means a sharp stone that pokes your foot—so a 'scrupulous' person is someone bothered by their conscience like a stone in their shoe! An 'unscrupulous' person has removed that stone and walks without guilt.

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