as in overmodest
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Recent Examples of Synonyms for governessy
Adjective
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Cross-dressing was prohibited, as were speeches that mocked or questioned the party’s prudish, pro-family, heteronormative views on gender and sexuality; traditional German culture was to be celebrated, not mocked.—
Tim Brinkhof,
JSTOR Daily,
1 Apr. 2026 -
Statistics like these have become part of a discussion about whether the culture is growing prudish and puritanical.—
Faith Hill,
The Atlantic,
13 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Boarding school has been making Muck boys into ugly, priggish little men for generations.—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
23 Feb. 2026
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Ghaywan’s script is explicit but never priggish in its moral standing, letting the outstanding performances drive home the perils of bigotry more than any grandstanding dialogue.—
Proma Khosla,
IndieWire,
25 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Far from your usual prim and proper floral, this scent isn't afraid to get its hands dirty.—
Ariel Wodarcyk,
InStyle,
9 Apr. 2026
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Ringwald’s prim, disciplined portrayal adds just the right touch of endearing spunkiness, while McCarthy, fighting with his social demons, is a likable rich kid with character substance.—
Duane Byrge,
HollywoodReporter,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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In the files, Wasserman exchanged a serious of flirtatious messages with Maxwell in 2003.—
Erik Hayden,
HollywoodReporter,
20 Apr. 2026
-
Fresh, flirtatious, and effortlessly modern.—
Kiana Murden,
Vogue,
16 Apr. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Governessy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/governessy. Accessed 23 Apr. 2026.
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