as in puritanical
given to or marked by very conservative standards regarding personal behavior or morals
by the prudish standards of the 19th century, any depiction of the nude was scandalous
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in puritanism
a tendency to care a great deal about seemly behavior and morals especially in sexual matters
the prudishness of the people of the Victorian era was a hindrance to the dissemination of some basic information on human health and hygiene
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of prudish
Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 24 Mar. 2025
Emily, perhaps true to her prudish Adderall-y millennial type, is not especially flirty.
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 16 Aug. 2024
So much so, in fact, that there is now a common misconception that Wimbledon spectators must subscribe to the same all-white dress code–established in the prudish 1800s to mask sweat stains–that applies only to those playing on court.
—Daniel Rodgers, Vogue, 12 July 2024
For a long time, serious literary novels have held off on the question of how to handle menopause with the prudish disgust of a teenager.
—Constance Grady, Vox, 21 June 2024
See All Example Sentences for prudish
Adjective
The only real originality in the accounts of Jesus’ virgin birth is their distinctly Jewish and prudish tone, with the impregnation dignified and at arm’s length rather than represented, as in the Hellenistic myths, as a shower of gold or the lovemaking of an amorous swan.
—Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 24 Mar. 2025
Emily, perhaps true to her prudish Adderall-y millennial type, is not especially flirty.
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 16 Aug. 2024
So much so, in fact, that there is now a common misconception that Wimbledon spectators must subscribe to the same all-white dress code–established in the prudish 1800s to mask sweat stains–that applies only to those playing on court.
—Daniel Rodgers, Vogue, 12 July 2024
For a long time, serious literary novels have held off on the question of how to handle menopause with the prudish disgust of a teenager.
—Constance Grady, Vox, 21 June 2024
See All Example Sentences for prudish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prudish
Adjective
-
In a strange puritanical gesture, the kiss was cut.—
Anthony Lane,
New Yorker,
22 Sep. 2025
-
This is where generalized odor anxiety intersects with the aforementioned puritanical squeamishness.—
Franklin Schneider,
The Atlantic,
16 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Inevitably, puritanism is going to come out and come back and go away.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
27 Nov. 2024
-
He in turn was denounced for what many thought was an old-fashioned puritanism and what many also thought was jealousy — the production was directed by his successor at Yale, Lloyd Richards.—
Bruce Weber,
New York Times,
29 Oct. 2023
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
-
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
Noun
-
Much of Ian MacKaye’s progressive moralism comes from his Episcopal upbringing.—
Chris R. Morgan,
The Washington Examiner,
22 Aug. 2025
-
The phone consensus is bipartisan, appealing to right-wing moralism and left-wing anti-corporate sentiment alike.—
Molly Fischer,
New Yorker,
30 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Prudish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prudish. Accessed 30 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share