Definitions

prudish

[proo-dish] / ˈpru dɪʃ /

ADJECTIVE

shy and strict in behavior

Synonyms

STRONGEST

fastidious narrow-minded prissy puritanical squeamish uptight

WEAK

Victorian affected artificial austere bigoted conventional demure finicky genteel illiberal mincing narrow offish overexact overmodest overnice precise pretentious priggish prim proper rigid rigorous scrupulous severe simpering square starchy stern stiff stilted strait-laced stuffy

Antonyms

WEAK

bold brave extroverted outgoing

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"The album is not for any pearl clutchers," she told CBS News, with reference to prim, prudish or easily offended people.

From BBC • Aug. 29, 2025

After her appointment by Rishi Sunak's government, Baroness Bertin made it clear she would not be approaching the topic from a prudish or disapproving position.

From BBC • Feb. 27, 2025

“How prudent some people are here,” one user quipped, perhaps meaning to say prudish instead of prudent.

From Los Angeles Times • May 4, 2023

Knight's "Great Expectations" isn't for the prudish or for purists, which those who saw his rendition of "A Christmas Carol" probably guessed.

From Salon • Mar. 27, 2023

I’ll tell you how we handled this problem; you may find it unseemly of me to bring it up, but I’m not so prudish about matters of this kind.

From "The Diary of a Young Girl" by Anne Frank

prudish

Example Sentences

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