scruple
scruple — noun
- scruplesingular
- scruplesplural
1. a moral worry or uneasy doubt that makes someone pause before acting
a moral worry or uneasy doubt that makes someone pause before acting
Christopher felt a scruple about opening his sister's private letters.
scruple about + -ing
Tamar's last scruple vanished when the broker offered cash under the table.
last scruple vanished
The nurse's scruples kept the clinic from hiding the mistake.
Felix spoke without scruple and revealed the private deal.
Esteban had no scruples about firing workers before the holiday.
- qualm
often shorter and sharper, especially for a sudden moral doubt
- misgiving
broader and less moral; it can be worry about what may happen
- hesitation
more general and not necessarily tied to conscience
- reservation
more formal and often about one clear objection
- ruthlessness
shows no concern about harm or moral limits
- indifference
lack of concern replaces the inner moral pause
文法句型
have scruples about + noun/-ing
no scruples about + noun/-ing
without scruple
用法筆記
This noun often appears in the plural when talking about moral limits in real situations. Singular scruple is more formal and often appears in patterns such as without scruple or have a scruple about something.
常見錯誤
scruple — verb
- scruplepresent simple I / you / we / they
- scruples3rd person singular
- scrupling-ing form
- scrupledpast simple
1. to go ahead with an action without worrying whether it is wrong or harmful
to go ahead with an action without worrying whether it is wrong or harmful
Dario did not scruple to blame the intern for the mistake.
not scruple to + verb
The company did not scruple to hide the safety report from staff.
formal pattern: did not scruple to + verb
The mayor never scrupled to use fear in local speeches.
Hiro would not scruple to cut workers' pay to save money.
The gang did not scruple to threaten shop owners for money.
- not hesitate
broader and less moral; it can describe speed rather than shamelessness
- think nothing of
more informal and often stresses lack of concern
- stoop
stronger and focuses on doing something low or shameful
文法句型
not scruple to + verb
never scruple to + verb
would not scruple to + verb
用法筆記
This verb is mainly seen in formal writing and most often appears in negative patterns such as not scruple to do something. It describes acting freely despite moral limits, not feeling the hesitation itself.