scruple
noun
[ ˈskruːp(ə)l ]
• a feeling of doubt or hesitation with regard to the morality or propriety of a course of action.
• "I had no scruples about eavesdropping"
Similar:
qualms,
twinge of conscience,
compunction,
hesitation,
reservations,
second thoughts,
doubt(s),
misgivings,
pangs of conscience,
uneasiness,
reluctance,
principles,
standards,
values,
morals,
morality,
moral concern,
ethics,
conscience,
creed,
beliefs,
• a unit of weight equal to 20 grains, used by apothecaries.
• "give, daily, one scruple of sulphate of quinine"
scruple
verb
• hesitate or be reluctant to do something that one thinks may be wrong.
• "she doesn't scruple to ask her parents for money"
Similar:
hesitate,
be reluctant,
be loath,
have qualms about,
have scruples about,
have misgivings about,
have reservations about,
stick at,
think twice about,
balk at,
demur about/from,
mind doing something,
recoil from,
shrink from,
hang back from,
shy away from,
flinch from,
drag one's feet/heels over,
waver about,
vacillate about,
boggle at,
disrelish something,
Opposite:
jump at the chance,
Origin:
late Middle English: from French scrupule or Latin scrupulus, from scrupus, literally ‘rough pebble’, (figuratively) ‘anxiety’.
