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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

Charlie and Emma are a product of another age that's somehow both looser and more prudish.

From Salon • Feb. 27, 2023

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

From New York Times • Nov. 15, 2022

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

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.