unscrupulous

USAGE SUMMARY

'unscrupulous' is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to describe people who are not honest in their dealings, or who act without any moral principles. For example, you could say "The unscrupulous businessman took advantage of his clients' ignorance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

More than 2,500 people have died in the Mediterranean sea this year, victims of unscrupulous smugglers who pack inadequate vessels with hundreds of migrants, often fully expecting not to get the boat back again.

The Guardian

With economic decay, war, persecution and unemployment gripping at least a dozen countries on Europe's southern rim, the surge of migration north has overwhelmed authorities in Europe, which has struggled to articulate a single coherent policy and, say critics, played into the hands of unscrupulous people traffickers.

The Guardian

But the DOE is acting like a debt collector for an unscrupulous lender instead of helping swindled students.

The Guardian - Opinion

Franks said GOP leaders inserted the wording to his bill because they were concerned that "unscrupulous abortion providers", rather than women themselves, would falsify rape claims.

The Guardian

Fear of ageing leaves young women vulnerable to unscrupulous practices.

The Guardian - Opinion

Other education-related budget measures in Tuesday's budget include $18.2m to toughen compliance checks in the vocational education and training sector, after concerns about unscrupulous operators exploiting vulnerable students.

The Guardian

But support from parents can offer more leverage for students who fall prey to unscrupulous tenants, at a time when more and more students are reporting specific housing problems: "At Shelter we hear from students all the time who are facing issues like unprotected deposits, poor conditions, and unfair terms in tenancy agreements – not to mention extremely high letting agent fees".

The Guardian

Many unscrupulous bosses will threaten to expose the irregular immigration status of the person in forced labour.

The Guardian - Opinion

Up to 50,000 Britons make the pilgrimage each year, but ministers have become concerned with the growing problem of unscrupulous travel agents cashing in on religious devotion.

The Guardian - Travel

They lay bare at least some of Washington's "cynical" and "unscrupulous" diplomatic machinations (although the state department's "front office" mischief is mild compared to the "back room" operations of the CIA and other covert forces).

The Guardian - Opinion

"Limited opportunities for safe and regular migration drive would-be migrants into the hands of smugglers, feeding an unscrupulous trade that threatens the lives of desperate people.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone as "unscrupulous", provide specific examples of their behavior to support your claim. This strengthens your argument and avoids vague accusations.

Common error

Don't mistake a lack of awareness or experience (naivety) for a deliberate lack of moral principles ("unscrupulous"). Ensure the context clearly indicates intentional disregard for ethics.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "unscrupulous" primarily functions to describe a noun, typically a person or entity, as lacking moral principles and being dishonest or unfair in their dealings. Ludwig's AI highlights its use in describing unethical behaviors.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Formal & Business

24%

Science

24%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "unscrupulous" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed adjective used to denote a lack of moral principles or ethical considerations in someone's actions. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's often used to describe individuals or entities that are dishonest or unfair. Analysis of its usage reveals a prevalence in news and media contexts, but also finds application in formal and business environments. Its purpose is primarily to express disapproval or critique of unethical behavior. Related terms include "dishonest", "unethical", and "unprincipled", each carrying slightly different nuances of meaning. When employing the word "unscrupulous", provide specific examples to substantiate claims. Avoid confusing it with naivety, which refers to a lack of awareness rather than a deliberate lack of moral standards.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Without scruples

Direct synonym, rephrasing the term in a more descriptive manner.

Unprincipled

Lacking a moral code or principles, closely related to "unscrupulous" but may suggest a more inherent lack of principles.

Dishonest

Refers to a lack of honesty, differing from "unscrupulous" by not necessarily implying a complete lack of moral principles.

Unethical

Specifically violates moral principles or accepted rules of conduct, often in a professional context, whereas "unscrupulous" is more general.

Immoral

Contravenes established moral standards, broader in scope than "unscrupulous" which emphasizes a lack of conscience in dealings.

Deceitful

Given to deceiving; implying an intent to mislead, while "unscrupulous" highlights the lack of moral restraint.

Underhanded

Suggests secretive and dishonest behavior, often to gain an advantage, providing a sense of the method rather than general principle.

Corrupt

Implies moral decay or dishonesty, often associated with power or authority, while "unscrupulous" can apply in any situation.

Ruthless

Shows no pity or compassion, emphasizing a lack of empathy, differing from "unscrupulous" which focuses on moral indifference.

Exploitative

Taking unfair advantage of someone or a situation, highlighting the action more than the moral character.

FAQs

How can I use "unscrupulous" in a sentence?

You can use "unscrupulous" to describe someone who lacks moral principles in their dealings. For example, "The "unscrupulous businessman" cheated his partners out of their profits."

What's a good synonym for "unscrupulous"?

A good synonym for "unscrupulous" is "unprincipled", which also means lacking moral principles.

Is it okay to use "unscrupulous" in formal writing?

Yes, "unscrupulous" is appropriate for formal writing, particularly when discussing ethical issues or criticizing behavior. However, be sure to provide context or evidence to support your claim.

What is the difference between "unscrupulous" and "dishonest"?

"Unscrupulous" implies a more profound lack of moral principles and a willingness to harm others for personal gain, while "dishonest" simply means not telling the truth.