as in overmodest
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Example Sentences
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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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
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Watts was polished and prim, outfitted in a strapless drop-waist top, which draped artistically over her matching cigarette trousers.—
Lara Walsh,
InStyle,
9 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Many, many softly curled tendrils descended from all angles, giving the updo even more soft texture and brushing her neck and collarbones for a flirtatious, come-hither vibe.—
Kara Nesvig,
Allure,
6 Apr. 2026
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Then, as the two warm to each other, KuveNiemann moves the mic stands closer to each other — like flirtatious strangers scooching close on a park bench.—
Theater Critic,
San Francisco Chronicle,
29 Mar. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Governessy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/governessy. Accessed 7 Apr. 2026.
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