In her fourth novel, the author makes an argument Carrie Bradshaw and friends would agree with: Entering your 50s need not mean renouncing desire. ... Read full Story
A surprising blend of suspense and social satire with an instantly gripping premise, Caro Claire Burke’s debut novel is sure to have people talking. ... Read full Story
The exchanges of the astute characters of Transcription allow us to reflect on parental relationships, mentorship and whether the privilege we accord recorded recollections is truly deserved. ... Read full Story
Celebrate Earth Day with this bounty of beautifully written and illustrated picture books that encourage readers to connect with and protect our planet. ... Read full Story
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The Adjunct is a grim satire with a dark heart, in which a woman’s inability to be the main character of her own life is amplified by the use and abuse dealt out by the gig economy of higher education. ... Read full Story
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Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for May 4, 2026 is:
scrupulous \SKROO-pyuh-lus\ adjective
Scrupulous describes someone who is very careful about doing something correctly, or something marked by such carefulness. Scrupulous can also describe someone who is careful about doing what is honest and morally right.
// She was always scrupulous about her work.
// Being an editor requires scrupulous attention to detail.
// Less scrupulous companies find ways to evade the law.
“Scrupulous directors make sure that the sound of their movies is grossly efficient, so that the dramatic meaning of a scene is apparent even in the worst theatre or home system in the country …” — David Denby, The New Yorker, 9 Mar. 2026
Did you know?
People described as scrupulous might feel discomfort if their work is not executed with a sharp attention to detail. Such discomfort might present itself as a nagging feeling, much as a sharp pebble in a shoe might nag a walker intent on getting somewhere. And we are getting somewhere. The origin of scrupulous is founded in just such a pebble. Scrupulous and its close relative scruple (“a feeling that prevents you from doing something that you think is wrong”) both come from the Latin noun scrupulus, “a small sharp stone,” the diminutive of scrupus, “a sharp stone.” Scrupus has a metaphorical meaning too: “a source of anxiety or uneasiness.” When the adjective scrupulous entered the English language in the 15th century, it described someone careful about preserving their moral integrity, but it now is also commonly used for someone who is careful in how they execute tasks.