Unscrupled

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. Lacking moral principles or ethical constraints; willing to act dishonestly or unfairly without hesitation or remorse
2. Devoid of ethical standards or moral considerations
3. ready to behave unethically or deceitfully with no feelings of guilt or hesitation

Etymology: The adjective in question derives from the noun "scruple," which originally referred to a small, sharp stone and later came to signify a feeling of moral doubt or hesitation. This figurative sense emerged during the late Latin period, from the word "scrupulus," a diminutive of "scrupus," meaning a sharp stone or pebble. The metaphorical leap from a literal sharp object to a mental prick of conscience reflects how physical sensations often inspired abstract concepts in language. By the 16th century, "scruple" had firmly taken on its ethical meaning in English, describing a person's hesitation or moral qualm about an action. Adding the prefix "un-" simply negates this quality, so the adjective formed as "unscrupled" conveys a lack of moral hesitation or conscience. This formation, typical of English word-building patterns, likely appeared in the early modern period, though it has always been relatively rare compared to the noun and the more common adjective "unscrupulous." Unlike "unscrupulous," which usually carries a strongly negative connotation, "unscrupled" can appear in older texts to describe someone acting without moral restraint, often emphasizing straightforwardness or a lack of inhibition rather than outright villainy. The suffix "-ed" here functions adjectivally, indicating possession of the quality of being without scruples. Thus, this word showcases how English can generate adjectives by negating abstract nouns and attaching "-ed," preserving the root's metaphorical heritage from physical discomfort to ethical judgment, and then to its absence.

Synonyms: unprincipled, immoral

Antonyms: principled, ethical