scrupling
Morally holding back
Scrupling is hesitating or holding back due to moral qualms or ethical doubts.
Someone scrupling over a decision is troubled by conscience: She stood scrupling at the door, unsure whether to enter.
The word suggests a person pausing to weigh right and wrong rather than acting impulsively.
It derives from scruple, a moral reservation or pang of conscience.
Showing unsteady resolve
- vacillatingSwaying between choices
- pausingStopping briefly mid-action
- falteringBecoming unsteady or weak
- balkingRefusing to proceed
demurring · dithering · stalling · halting · tentative · reluctant · indecisive · shilly-shallying
Feelings of doubt
- compunctionUneasiness from guilt
- conscienceInternal moral sense
- uneaseMild persistent worry
- pangsSudden sharp sensations
discomfort · reservation · reticence · hesitancy · reluctance · contrition · self-reproach · squeamishness
Internal moral sense
- principlesFoundational moral beliefs
- integrityMoral soundness and consistency
- rectitudeMoral straightness
- probityThorough moral honesty
honor · virtue · righteousness · uprightness · scrupulousness · punctiliousness · meticulousness · conscientiousness
Measuring mass or heft
- ponderingThinking deeply about something
- consideringMentally evaluating something
- reflectingBouncing back light
- evaluatingJudging quality or worth
mulling · wrestling · agonizing · contemplating · examining · second-guessing · soul-searching
wavering
Showing unsteady resolve
- vacillatingSwaying between choices
- pausingStopping briefly mid-action
- falteringBecoming unsteady or weak
balking · demurring · dithering · stalling · halting · tentative · reluctant · indecisive · shilly-shallying · teetering
misgivings
Feelings of doubt
- compunctionUneasiness from guilt
- conscienceInternal moral sense
- uneaseMild persistent worry
pangs · discomfort · reservation · reticence · hesitancy · reluctance · contrition · self-reproach · squeamishness
conscience
Internal moral sense
- principlesFoundational moral beliefs
- integrityMoral soundness and consistency
- rectitudeMoral straightness
probity · honor · virtue · righteousness · uprightness · scrupulousness · punctiliousness · meticulousness · conscientiousness
weighing
Measuring mass or heft
- ponderingThinking deeply about something
- consideringMentally evaluating something
- reflectingBouncing back light
evaluating · mulling · wrestling · agonizing · contemplating · examining · second-guessing · soul-searching
scruplingplunging in
Starting boldly, without hesitation
forging ahead · rushing in · daring · venturing · taking the plunge
scrupulous, scruple, unscrupulous, scruples, scrupulously, unscrupulously, unscrupulousness, scrupulosity