as in warm
formal + usually disapproving
having or showing too much interest in sex
He took a prurient interest in their personal life. a book that appealed to the prurient curiosity of its readers
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Recent Examples of prurient
Then it was replaced by prurient talk about a nude shot.
—
Mikey O'Connell, HollywoodReporter, 2 Apr. 2025
During this time, Law was hounded by the press and made into an object of prurient fascination and lust.
—Ramin Setoodeh, Variety, 30 Oct. 2024
Apart from prurient interest, why should any of us really care?
—Robin Abcarian, The Mercury News, 3 Oct. 2024
And yet this prurient curiosity also threatened the delicate equilibrium between devout Mormonism and hot-mom content that the group’s women were attempting to maintain.
—Naomi Fry, The New Yorker, 14 Sep. 2024
See All Example Sentences for prurient
Mikey O'Connell, HollywoodReporter, 2 Apr. 2025
During this time, Law was hounded by the press and made into an object of prurient fascination and lust.
—Ramin Setoodeh, Variety, 30 Oct. 2024
Apart from prurient interest, why should any of us really care?
—Robin Abcarian, The Mercury News, 3 Oct. 2024
And yet this prurient curiosity also threatened the delicate equilibrium between devout Mormonism and hot-mom content that the group’s women were attempting to maintain.
—Naomi Fry, The New Yorker, 14 Sep. 2024
See All Example Sentences for prurient
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prurient
Adjective
-
This is a major system that will cause numerous airport delays, traffic to come to a standstill in many cases, when traffic is moving, slick spots will be an issue, and a spike in energy bills and likely fires as people try to stay warm should be expected.—
Ron Smiley,
CBS News,
22 Jan. 2026
-
The waterproof puffy material locks out moisture and is insulated enough to keep your feet warm, but not sweaty during chilly morning walks.—
Rylee Johnston,
PEOPLE,
22 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Which was a fun mid-century technique to render a pic unpublishable.—
Brittany Allen,
Literary Hub,
22 Aug. 2025
-
But much of what’s popping up on Substack is appealingly specific, the kind of stuff that’s unpublishable elsewhere.—
Emma Alpern,
Vulture,
2 July 2025
Adjective
-
Best Restaurants Le Colonial A standout specializing in French-Vietnamese fusion, Le Colonial is one of the area’s most distinctive dining options, with a menu built around spicy soups and salads, stir-fries, and other bold, aromatic dishes, along with a creative cocktail list.—
Lauren Dana Ellman,
Travel + Leisure,
21 Jan. 2026
-
Its almond-and-vanilla base has just a hint of smoky sweetness, unfolding into a spicier scent that gives it a slightly intense fragrance.—
Irene Richardson,
InStyle,
21 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Some made obscene gestures, and one held up a paper cursing the president.—
Josh Boak,
Los Angeles Times,
21 Jan. 2026
-
Guests will enjoy the experience free from disruptive behavior, foul language, obscene gestures, fighting, unruly conduct or inconsiderate actions.—
Ed Masley,
AZCentral.com,
21 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Detectives with the sheriff’s Child Abuse Bureau led the investigation and obtained an arrest warrant for Rutherford on one count of oral copulation on a victim 10 years old or younger and three counts of committing lewd and lascivious acts with a child younger than 14.—
Rosalio Ahumada,
Sacbee.com,
19 Dec. 2025
-
She is charged with two counts of indecent, lewd or lascivious touching of certain minors, and violation of parole, according to the report.—
Alexandra Koch,
FOXNews.com,
13 Dec. 2025
Adjective
-
Until then, the only limits on their selections were Vimeo’s standard terms of service, which prohibit content that incites violence or qualifies as pornographic.—
Chris O'Falt,
IndieWire,
22 Dec. 2025
-
Under a new law, Florida began requiring age verification checks for visitors to pornographic websites, notes Paul Bischoff, editor of Comparitech, a site that reviews personal cybersecurity software.—
David Folkenflik,
NPR,
17 Dec. 2025
Adjective
-
Voyeurism, possession of indecent images of children and possession of extreme images are among the other charges filed against Young.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
23 Jan. 2026
-
He was charged during a Brooklyn Criminal Court arraignment with disseminating indecent material to minors, official misconduct by a public servant, and endangering the welfare of a child.—
Emma Seiwell,
New York Daily News,
15 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
That sounds like something a premium TV service and its subscribers could keep a good, heavily suggestive grip on for at least 10 years.—
Erik Adams,
The Atlantic,
18 Jan. 2026
-
The agents’ demand that Good exit her vehicle is suggestive of an intent to take her into custody.—
Dakin Andone,
CNN Money,
8 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Prurient.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prurient. Accessed 26 Jan. 2026.
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