scrupulous

From Middle French scrupuleux, from Latin scrupulosus.

• IPA^(key): /ˈskɹuː.pjə.ləs/

• Audio (US):

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scrupulous (comparative more scrupulous, superlative most scrupulous)

1. Exactly and carefully conducted.

   Synonyms: meticulous, painstaking; see also Thesaurus:meticulous

   Antonym: unscrupulous

   • 2016, Tim Carvell [et al.], “Special Districts”, in Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, season 3, episode 4, John Oliver (actor), Warner Bros. Television, via HBO:

     Come on! You have got to admire their dedication to the rules! These two men are so scrupulous, they would sit at a broken red traffic light for six hours in the middle of the night. “Hey, red is red! We live in a civilized society! Red is red! We stay!”

2. Having scruples or compunctions.

   Synonym: worried

3. Precise; exact or strict.

   He is scrupulous in his finances.

   He is a scrupulous businessman and always acts in the best interest of his company.

4. Wrongly feeling guilt or anxiety about one’s morality; suffering from scrupulosity.

   Synonyms: ethical, fair-minded, honourable, just, moral, righteous

   Because I have a scrupulous conscience, I sometimes need to be reminded that not everything I do is sinful.