Scrutinizing the traits of a person or a thing with the utmost attention is what defines the word "scrupulous." But, there are various other terms that can be used interchangeably to describe this trait, including diligent, conscientious, meticulous, thorough, and punctilious. Each of these words provides a slightly different emphasis on the meaning of "scrupulous." For example, diligent focuses on consistent and persistent effort, while conscientious points to a person's inherent sense of duty. Meticulous emphasizes the precision and attention to detail, while thorough denotes a complete and exhaustive examination of a subject. Punctilious signifies a devotion to rules and regulations. In short, these synonyms captivate the complexity and depth of what it means to be scrupulous.