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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of prudish
Daniel Rodgers, Vogue, 12 July 2024
Jet did not feel the need to present a prudish image of Black people to counteract white stereotypes about their hypersexuality.
—Jennifer Wilson, The New Yorker, 25 June 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
Informed by the Hayes Code, Hollywood ‘50s genre was often prudish in its sexuality.
—John Hopewell, Variety, 21 May 2024
See All Example Sentences for prudish
Adjective
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
Jet did not feel the need to present a prudish image of Black people to counteract white stereotypes about their hypersexuality.
—Jennifer Wilson, The New Yorker, 25 June 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
Informed by the Hayes Code, Hollywood ‘50s genre was often prudish in its sexuality.
—John Hopewell, Variety, 21 May 2024
See All Example Sentences for prudish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prudish
Adjective
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At a moment when puritanical forces in this country are actively trying to deny Americans the freedom to be themselves, that’s radical enough.—
Simon Vozick-Levinson,
Rolling Stone,
25 June 2025
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Wisconsinites are also distinguished by their puritanical work ethic.—
Chadd Scott,
Forbes.com,
7 June 2025
Noun
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Puritanism is now expressing itself tragically in those who were subject to puritanism, the youth.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
27 Nov. 2024
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Inevitably, puritanism is going to come out and come back and go away.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
27 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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Historical Mystery Show: Step into a world of Victorian elegance and deadly secrets when DeBary Hall Historic Site partners with Gateway Center for the Arts to present a Historical Mystery Show.—
Joe Rassel,
The Orlando Sentinel,
25 June 2025
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Gardenia Restaurant, located in the Victorian mansion downtown, now has outdoor dining under the trees and live music every Friday evening.—
Debby Rice,
Mercury News,
24 June 2025
Noun
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The phone consensus is bipartisan, appealing to right-wing moralism and left-wing anti-corporate sentiment alike.—
Molly Fischer,
New Yorker,
30 June 2025
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The true villain is Herod, who, in his hypocritical mixture of slobbering lust and grandstanding moralism, is a model man of power.—
Alex Ross,
New Yorker,
19 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Prudish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prudish. Accessed 6 Jul. 2025.
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