Words / C2

SKROOP-y-uh-l-uh-s/ˈskruːpjələs/

Scrupulous means extremely careful to be honest and exact — ethics plus precision. Use it instead of careful when fairness or accuracy of record is the point. In speech very careful about… or meticulous; scrupulous is still usable, but it is a serious compliment, not small talk.

Meaning

Very careful to be honest and exact.

Examples

• “She is scrupulous about citing sources.”
• “He kept scrupulous minutes of every meeting.”
• “Scrupulous honesty forbade her to guess the figures.”

Good to know

Honest and exact. Everyday: meticulous (less moral).

Near in meaning

meticulous

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