scrupulous
Morally exacting always
Scrupulous means extremely careful, thorough, and attentive to detail: scrupulous record-keeping, scrupulous attention to hygiene.
It also implies strict adherence to ethical standards—someone scrupulous about honesty won't shade the truth even slightly.
The word suggests conscientiousness that borders on excessive: She was scrupulous about returning borrowed items the next day.
Exactly correct, no error
- exactingDemanding great care
- painstakingExtremely careful and thorough
- fastidiousExcessively attentive to detail
- punctiliousExcessively careful about details
careful · thorough · diligent · attentive · methodical · rigorous · exactitude · perfectionism
Having strong moral beliefs
- moralConcerning right conduct
- uprightVertical or morally sound
- honorableHaving high moral standards
- honestFree from deception
virtuous · righteous · incorruptible · trustworthy · fair · just · decent · integrity
Demanding great care
- demandingRequiring great effort
- stringentSeverely exact and demanding
- uncompromisingRefusing to yield ground
- rigidUnable to bend
stern · firm · disciplined · inflexible · unyielding · stiff · austere · severe
Covering all possibilities
- comprehensiveIncluding all elements
- systematicFollowing ordered procedures
- in-depthThoroughly and comprehensively detailed
- completeLacking nothing, fully done
detailed · extensive · searching · intensive · elaborate · all-encompassing · rigorous · sweeping
precise
Exactly correct, no error
- exactingDemanding great care
- painstakingExtremely careful and thorough
- fastidiousExcessively attentive to detail
punctilious · careful · thorough · diligent · attentive · methodical · rigorous · exactitude · perfectionism · fussy
principled
Having strong moral beliefs
honest · virtuous · righteous · incorruptible · trustworthy · fair · just · decent · integrity · rectitude
exacting
Demanding great care
- demandingRequiring great effort
- stringentSeverely exact and demanding
- uncompromisingRefusing to yield ground
rigid · stern · firm · disciplined · inflexible · unyielding · stiff · austere · severe · hard-line
exhaustive
Covering all possibilities
- comprehensiveIncluding all elements
- systematicFollowing ordered procedures
- in-depthThoroughly and comprehensively detailed
complete · detailed · extensive · searching · intensive · elaborate · all-encompassing · rigorous · sweeping · full
- integrityintegrity, honesty, truthfulness, uprightness, rectitude
- fussinessfussiness, pickiness, picky, nitpicky, persnickety
- cautioncareful, be careful, cautious, caution, watch out
- precisionprecise, exact, accurate, pinpoint, spot-on
- systematicmethodical, structured, organized, orderly, planned
- restrainedrestrained, reserved, subdued, controlled, muted
scrupulousunscrupulous
Lacking moral principles
unprincipled · dishonest · unethical · dishonorable · unconscionable
unscrupulous, scrupulously, scrupulousness, unscrupulously, unscrupulousness, scrupulosity