straight-laced

[streyt-leyst] / ˈstreɪtˈleɪst /

ADJECTIVE

strait-laced

Synonyms

WEAK

Victorian austere goody-two-shoes old-maidish priggish prim prissy proper prudish puritanical rigid square starchy stiff strict stuffy uptight

Antonyms

STRONGEST

permissive

WEAK

broad-minded

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.

Now, he is reportedly looking to marry the straight-laced German firm with its flashy American offshoot.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 10, 2026

A straight-laced family man with a Catholic upbringing, Becerra was more reserved during the debates — a quiet confidence that drew some voters to support him.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 9, 2026

Cornyn, by contrast, is a straight-laced institutional conservative who has represented Texas in the Senate since 2002 and built deep ties with the state's donor class and Republican leadership in Washington.

From Barron's • May 26, 2026

In 2004, she said, Capriglione came into the club where she was working and stood out as “a very straight-laced businessman.”

From Salon • Jul. 26, 2025

Laura’s a dear good woman, but too straight-laced.

From Sir Hilton's Sin by Fenn, George Manville