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
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
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
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
See All Example Sentences for prudish
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
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
See All Example Sentences for prudish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prudish
Adjective
-
For Max in particular, his parent’s lifelong humorless severity looks more and more like malevolent delusion under a cloak of puritanical righteousness.—
Dennis Harvey,
Variety,
11 July 2025
-
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
Adjective
-
DeBary Hall and Gateway Center for the Arts will present an evening of Victorian elegance and deadly secrets in which guests attempt to solve a murder most foul.—
Joe Rassel,
The Orlando Sentinel,
30 July 2025
-
Its interior decor offers an upscale, Victorian boudoir theme with dim, vintage chandelier lighting with beaded fringe trim and deep red tones on textured wallpaper.—
USA Today,
USA Today,
30 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Prudish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prudish. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share