1
as in tidy
being clean and in good order
behind the bed-and-breakfast is a prim little garden where guests are served afternoon tea
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in Victorian
given to or marked by very conservative standards regarding personal behavior or morals
a very prim and proper matron was in charge of the girls' dorm
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of prim
Split the difference in your own pair with a prim, preppy jacket, luxe snakeskin flats, and chic gold jewelry; you’re all set for a fancy dinner or happy hour.
—
Kelsey Stiegman, Glamour, 27 Apr. 2026
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
Chief among them is the late and especially great Dame Maggie Smith, who gave one of her most powerful and enduring performances as the prim and wise Violet Crawley.
—Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Mar. 2026
Classic shapes like a neat overcoat, or prim skirt arrived in off-kilter colors and patterns.
—Christina Holevas, Vogue, 3 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for prim
Kelsey Stiegman, Glamour, 27 Apr. 2026
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
Chief among them is the late and especially great Dame Maggie Smith, who gave one of her most powerful and enduring performances as the prim and wise Violet Crawley.
—Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Mar. 2026
Classic shapes like a neat overcoat, or prim skirt arrived in off-kilter colors and patterns.
—Christina Holevas, Vogue, 3 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for prim
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prim
Adjective
-
Lenovo Slim 7i Aura Edition Laptop Deal If lugging around a heavyweight laptop is getting you down, a tidy little 5% discount on the sleek Lenovo Slim 7i Aura Edition might put some spring in your step.—
K. Thor Jensen,
PC Magazine,
15 June 2026
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As a fun aside, check out my colleague Don Riddell’s story on why Japan is the tidiest team at every World Cup.—
Ben Church,
CNN Money,
14 June 2026
Adjective
-
The Sherlock Holmes series adds a touch of Victorian charm with rich wood paneling, brass accents, and cozy reading nooks perfect for sleuthing through your own novels.—
Elizabeth Fogarty,
Better Homes & Gardens,
23 Aug. 2025
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In the 2001 episode shot above Times Square, the poet Michael Stipe sits regal in a Victorian skirt and peppers Automatic for the People and Reveal songs with a rant about George Bush’s nuclear energy policy.—
Brittany Allen,
Literary Hub,
22 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Just snip away dead, damaged, or diseased branches to keep these shrubs looking trim.—
Lauren Landers,
The Spruce,
13 June 2026
-
Both looks are in the same color, both have white trim, and even has similar pocket details.—
Rachel Burchfield,
InStyle,
13 June 2026
Adjective
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Perhaps because of its puritanical roots, any place that serves alcohol in Boston also has to have a full menu—so there aren’t straight-up bars here or anywhere else.—
Shannon McMahon,
Condé Nast Traveler,
17 June 2026
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There’s more than a tinge of folk horror to this lingering mystery, which brings to mind the 1973 genre landmark The Wicker Man, in which a puritanical police officer travels to a remote island community that’s reverted to old pagan ways.—
Keith Phipps,
Vulture,
15 June 2026
Adjective
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The result is a floral and slightly sweet gin that can be enjoyed neat or used in any traditional or modern cocktail.—
Jonah Flicker,
Robb Report,
18 June 2026
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High-quality incense holders will utilize this neat trick and turn your incense into a waterfall of fragrant smoke.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
17 June 2026
Adjective
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The findings also said that there were at least 39 adults at Camp Mystic's Guadalupe-adjacent camp — not counting the teenage counselors — who could have performed an orderly flood evacuation had one been planned and executed.—
David Chiu,
PEOPLE,
20 June 2026
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The few retailers left inside the mall, including anchor tenant JCPenney, fought to stay open, telling a Cook County judge this spring that a quick shutdown was unnecessary and wouldn’t leave enough time to wind down their businesses in an orderly manner.—
Brian J. Rogal,
Chicago Tribune,
20 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Prim.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prim. Accessed 23 Jun. 2026.
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