prudishly
adverb
prudishness
noun
Synonyms
Examples of prudish in a Sentence
by the prudish standards of the 19th century, any depiction of the nude was scandalous
Recent Examples on the Web
Prudes are going to be prudish, so no point in trying to appease them in a show that’s all about the havoc that’s wrought when human biology is denied by moralistic zealots.
—
Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 1 Nov. 2023
Nathan Lane is probably not the most prudish actor in the world.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 8 Oct. 2023
But the idea of young people being prudish now is so warped to me.
—Michael Schulman, The New Yorker, 17 Sep. 2023
As a British tourist, several Estonians warned me against visiting Kalma Saun—perhaps because of my own country’s more prudish attitudes towards public baths, or because this particular sauna isn’t engineered to appeal to outsiders.
—Frankie Adkins, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 July 2023
There’s opportunity to push past her prudish tendencies and explore her sexuality anew.
—Sonia Rao, Washington Post, 10 Aug. 2023
Wilde believed that, contrary to the claims of sentimentalism and of generations of prudish literary critics, the quality of a work of art does not depend on its ethical purity—that art depicting the degraded, the depraved, or the wicked can still be beautiful.
—Kathryn Schulz, The New Yorker, 19 June 2023
His father, a member of the now-defunct Liberal Party, was anti-Europe but not aligned with the political right’s position on the issue, was prudish and chivalrous around women yet also a serial adulterer.
—Hugh Morris, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2023
What’s with the prudish pearl clutching?
—Globe Columnist, BostonGlobe.com, 28 Mar. 2023
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Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 1 Nov. 2023
Nathan Lane is probably not the most prudish actor in the world.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 8 Oct. 2023
But the idea of young people being prudish now is so warped to me.
—Michael Schulman, The New Yorker, 17 Sep. 2023
As a British tourist, several Estonians warned me against visiting Kalma Saun—perhaps because of my own country’s more prudish attitudes towards public baths, or because this particular sauna isn’t engineered to appeal to outsiders.
—Frankie Adkins, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 July 2023
There’s opportunity to push past her prudish tendencies and explore her sexuality anew.
—Sonia Rao, Washington Post, 10 Aug. 2023
Wilde believed that, contrary to the claims of sentimentalism and of generations of prudish literary critics, the quality of a work of art does not depend on its ethical purity—that art depicting the degraded, the depraved, or the wicked can still be beautiful.
—Kathryn Schulz, The New Yorker, 19 June 2023
His father, a member of the now-defunct Liberal Party, was anti-Europe but not aligned with the political right’s position on the issue, was prudish and chivalrous around women yet also a serial adulterer.
—Hugh Morris, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2023
What’s with the prudish pearl clutching?
—Globe Columnist, BostonGlobe.com, 28 Mar. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'prudish.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1717, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near prudish
Cite this Entry
“Prudish.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prudish. Accessed 8 Dec. 2023.
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