frequently_asked_questions_files/Oxford Thesaurus.pdf

scruple n. 1 compunction, qualm, reluctance, misgiving, second
thoughts, doubt, (twinge of) conscience, hesitation, uneasiness,
discomfort, squeamishness: Peter hadn't the slightest scruple
about taking the money from his aunt.
--v. 2 pause, falter, hesitate, vacillate, have doubts or
compunction (about), demur, waver, shrink from or at, have
misgivings or qualms (about or over), be loath or loth (to),
think twice (about), stick at, be reluctant, balk (at), have
scruples (about): Susan didn't scruple for a moment about
keeping the money she found in the street.
scrupulous
adj. 1 careful, cautious, meticulous, exacting, precise,
over-nice, strict, rigid, rigorous, severe, critical,
fastidious, neat, conscientious, finicky or finical, fussy,
painstaking, punctilious: Andrew has always been scrupulous
about his toys, his books, his clothes, etc. 2 ethical,
honourable, upstanding, moral, righteous, principled,
high-minded, just: Meg was always scrupulous in her business
dealings.
scrutinize
v. examine, analyse, dissect, investigate, probe, study,
inspect, sift, go over or through, check: I have scrutinized
the results of the blood tests and can find nothing abnormal.
scrutiny n. examination, analysis, investigation, probe, probing, study,
inspection, sifting, inquiry or enquiry, exploration, check:
The tax inspectors have subjected the company books to close
scrutiny but have found nothing amiss.
scud v. fly, skim, race, scoot, speed, shoot: We scudded along in
the catamaran at a good 30 knots.
sculpture n. 1 figure, figurine, statue, statuette, group, head, bust,
relief; bronze, marble: His favourite sculpture is Rodin's
Burghers of Calais .
--v. 2 sculpt or sculp, model, model, chisel, carve, cast,
form, fashion: The students are learning how to sculpture in
clay.