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

The online response to the art was painfully scolding and prudish.

From Salon • Jun. 13, 2025

"Weirdly, considering I'm quite prudish, I've found it really fun tapping into this world," she told the BBC.

From BBC • Jul. 27, 2023

The prudish resistance may be a colonial import, she said, but it’s entrenched.

From New York Times • Nov. 15, 2022

Only time, a prudish veil of hours, prevented her brother from seeing her as she had been.

From "Atonement" by Ian McEwan