I had a slight scruple about doing that kind of thing.
Source: tatoeba (254877)
Scruple
/ˈskɹuːpəl/
Synonyms for "scruple" (264 found)
Ranked by relevance and common usage.
Closest matches (53)
Strong matches (79)
dotdoubtdoubtfulnessdramdribbledribletdubietydubiousnessdwarfdyneenter a protestexceptionexpostulateexpostulationfalterfalteringfarthingfastidiousnessfearfight shy
Show 55 more words
fight shy offleckflinchflyspeckforcefragmentfretgaggobbetgraingranulegreet with skepticismgrievancegrievance committeegroathairhalf believehalf-beliefhandfulhang backhang offharbor suspicionshave qualmshave reservationshem and hawhesitancehesitancyhesitatehesitationhold offhollerhoverhowlhum and hawindignation meetingiotajibjotkickkiloleerinesslittlelittle bitlotamake bones aboutmarchmassmeticulousnessminimminimumminutiaemisdoubtmisgivemisgivingmistrust
Related words (132)
mistrustfulnessmitemodestymodicummoleculemotenonviolent protestnutshellobjectobjectionounceoverconscientiousnessoverscrupulousnesspangpangspangs of conscienceparticlepausepebblepenitence
Show 109 more words
picketpicketingpinchpittancepointpoint of honorponderpoundpress objectionspricking of heartprotestprotest demonstrationprotestationpull backpunctiliopunctiliousnesspyrrhonismquailqualmqualm of consciencequalmishnessqualmsqueryquestionraise a howlraise a questionrallyrecoilreconsiderationregretreluctanceremonstranceremonstrateremonstrationretreatscrapscruplesscrupulosityscrupulousnesssecond thoughtsecond thoughtsself-doubtshadow of doubtshilly shallyshilly-shallyshredshrinkshrink fromshrinkingshyshy atshynesssit insit-inskepticalnessskepticismsmell a ratsmidgensmitchsolicitudespeckspoonfulspotsquawksqueamishnessstate a grievancestickstick atsticklesticklingstop to considerstraddle the fencestrainstrain atstrikestumblesuspectsuspicionsuspiciousnesstake with a grain of saltteach inteach-inthimblefulthink twicethink twice aboutthroesthrow doubt upontiny bittittletotal skepticismtouch of consciencetreat with reservetrifling amounttriviatwinge of conscienceuncertaintyuneasinessunitvacillatevoice of consciencewarinesswaverweightwhitwincewithdrawworryyell bloody murderyield
Noun(3 words)
Choosing the right synonym
- Closest matches in this entry: qualm, ace, apprehension, atom, awake a doubt.
- Sentence evidence is available for scruple, so synonym choice can be checked against real usage rather than a flat word list.
- Ranking signals come from wordnet, opengloss, moby, derived_reverse, and related lexical sources.
Synonym selection checklist
- Match the part of speech before comparing meanings.
- Check whether the synonym changes intensity, formality, or emotional tone.
- Read the replacement inside the full sentence, not just beside "scruple".
- Prefer the clearest word over the most unusual word when writing for speed or comprehension.
When not to replace "scruple"
Keep "scruple" when the sentence already sounds natural, when a synonym would add unintended emphasis, or when readers need the most familiar wording. A synonym should clarify or sharpen the message, not simply make the sentence look more varied.
If two options seem close, choose the one that best matches the audience and purpose of the sentence.
Replacement workflow
1. Preserve meaning
Choose a synonym only if it keeps the core idea of "scruple" intact in the sentence you are editing.
2. Tune tone
Check whether the replacement sounds more formal, casual, emotional, technical, or forceful than the original word.
3. Re-read context
Read the full sentence after the swap. Keep the synonym only when the sentence becomes clearer or more precise.
Review note: Synonym lists are ranked with lexical data and reviewed for practical writing value. Use the comparison notes, sentence evidence, and source labels together; a high-ranking synonym can still be wrong when the audience, register, or grammar changes.
Final fit check
After choosing a replacement for "scruple", read the sentence once for meaning and once for rhythm. The best synonym should feel natural in the full sentence, not only accurate in a word list.
If the synonym makes the sentence slower, vaguer, or more dramatic than intended, keep "scruple" or choose a simpler alternative from the closest-match group.
Related word relations
OpenGloss and ConceptNet supply richer edges like generalizations, collocations, and derivations.
More general
17 entriesShowing 16 of 17 words.
More specific
7 entriesCollocations
11 entriesapothecaries scruplehistorical scruplemass scruplenot scruple toscruple about doingscruple about the costscruple to doscruple to refusescruple unittroy scrupleweight scruple
Inflections
3 entriesDerivations
5 entriesTranslations
3 translations across 3 languages.
Latin
1 entries- scrupulus noun (small unit of mass)
Portuguese
1 entries- escrópulo noun (small unit of mass)
Spanish
1 entries- escrúpulo noun (small unit of mass)
Sample sentences
26 total sentences available.
No scruple held him back from making this attempt.
Source: tatoeba (303522)
When a thing has been said and well said, have no scruple: take it and copy it.
Source: tatoeba (879693)
If they do not agree they will without scruple act contrary to that decision.
Source: tatoeba (11856816)
Showing 4 of 26 available sentences.
Common questions
What are the closest synonyms for "scruple"?
Closest matches include qualm, ace, apprehension, atom, awake a doubt.
How should I check whether a synonym fits "scruple"?
Compare the replacement against real sentence context. This entry includes sample sentences so you can check tone, grammar, and meaning before swapping words.