unscrupulous

adjective

ˌən-ˈskrü-pyə-ləs How to pronounce unscrupulous (audio)
Definition of unscrupulousnext
as in immoral
not guided by or showing a concern for what is right an unscrupulous businessman manipulated them into selling their land for practically nothing

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of unscrupulous Yes, but: Critics warn unscrupulous players peddling alternative cures could thrive under Kennedy. — Tina Reed, Axios, 24 Feb. 2025 Hawke plays Samuel Murphy who, after the death of his wife, is imprisoned in a labor camp run by Clancy, an unscrupulous overseer (Crowe). — Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Feb. 2025 However, these methods don’t prevent an unscrupulous sender from seeing your primary address, so exercise caution when using them with untrusted correspondents. — Kurt Knutsson, Cyberguy Report, Fox News, 30 Jan. 2025 The Breaking Bad universe expanded after the original series’ final episode, exploring the origin story of unscrupulous attorney Saul Goodman (Bob Odenkirk) in Better Call Saul. — Will Harris, EW.com, 31 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for unscrupulous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unscrupulous
  1. immoral
  2. ruthless
  3. corrupt
  4. unprincipled
  5. unethical
Adjective
  • And so Rose, immortal on the field, with a bat, was judged immoral off it by the saints who guard baseball’s gate.
    — Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 4 Mar. 2025
  • The campaign materials were unequivocal: Worley believed LGBT influences in society were immoral.
    — Nick Penzenstadler, USA TODAY, 4 Mar. 2025
Definition of immoral
Adjective
  • Whoever sells the most wins a car; whoever sells the least is out of a job – a ruthless environment where each character will do anything to come out on top.
    — Greg Evans, Deadline, 17 Mar. 2025
  • However, his plans to go straight are threatened when his final heist spirals out of control, pulling him into a deadly game of survival against ruthless criminals—including the unhinged Bats (Jamie Foxx) and the wild coupling of Buddy (Jon Hamm) and Darling (Eiza González).
    — Travis Bean, Forbes, 15 Mar. 2025
Definition of ruthless
Adjective
  • Is that the median voter assumes everyone is corrupt already?
    — Bluesky Social, Bluesky Social, 11 Mar. 2025
  • While Democrats have tried to put human faces on the ranks of the federal employees who have been abruptly fired, inviting some to sit in the gallery at the president's speech to Congress, Trump has portrayed the workforce with a broad brush as bloated, unproductive and even corrupt.
    — Susan Page, USA TODAY, 9 Mar. 2025
Definition of corrupt
Adjective
  • The notorious Sackler family, opioid pushers responsible for countless cases of addiction and death, can’t seem to settle their legal problems without turning to some kind of unprincipled maneuver.
    — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 2 Feb. 2025
  • Objective voters who watched the recent documentary about Lev Parnas, once a Trump ally, should fear a redux of a Cabinet running the government for an angry, unhinged, unprincipled man.
    — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 1 Oct. 2024
Definition of unprincipled
Adjective
  • Nestlé has also been accused of environmental violations, water privatization concerns, and unethical marketing of baby formula in developing countries.
    — Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 20 Mar. 2025
  • Research found that professionals who distance themselves from unethical networks are often perceived as more principled and trustworthy.
    — Cheryl Robinson, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025
Definition of unethical

Browse Nearby Words

unscripted
unscrupulous
unscrupulousness
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Cite this Entry

“Unscrupulous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unscrupulous. Accessed 27 Mar. 2025.

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