What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
underscrupulous
Example
The underscrupulous accountant failed to notice the error in the financial report. [underscrupulous: adjective]
Example
The underscrupulous employee did not follow the safety guidelines, resulting in an accident. [underscrupulous: adjective]
unscrupulous
Example
The unscrupulous businessman cheated his partners out of their fair share of profits. [unscrupulous: adjective]
Example
The unscrupulous politician accepted bribes to pass favorable legislation. [unscrupulous: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Unscrupulous is more commonly used than underscrupulous in everyday language. Unscrupulous is a well-established word with a clear origin and usage, while underscrupulous is less common and its origin is unclear.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between underscrupulous and unscrupulous?
Both underscrupulous and unscrupulous are formal words that are typically used in serious or professional contexts. However, unscrupulous is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.