priggish
My aunt's priggish expression made me feel self-conscious about my new outfit.
Adjective: - Exaggeratedly or self-consciously proper, moralistic, or smug: Describes a person who is annoyingly and ostentatiously correct in behavior, often showing a sense of superiority about their own strict adherence to rules or morals.
The adjective "priggish" is used to criticize someone's attitude or behavior. It describes a person who is not merely well-behaved but who is smug, fussy, and self-righteous about their propriety, often looking down on others they deem less correct.
- His priggish comments about modern fashion revealed how out of touch he was.
- She dismissed his concerns with a priggish wave of her hand.
- The manager's priggish insistence on outdated formalities frustrated the new employees.
- "priggishness" (noun): The quality or state of being priggish.
- The priggishness of his lecture made it hard to listen to his valid points.
- Prig (noun): A person who is priggish.
- He was such a prig that he scolded others for minor social errors.
- Priggery (noun): Priggish conduct or character.
- Priggishly (adverb): In a priggish manner.
- Prim: Formally precise or proper, often to an affected degree.
- Strait-laced: Having or showing very strict moral attitudes.
- Prudish: Easily shocked by matters relating to sex or nudity.
- Sanctimonious: Making a show of being morally superior to others.
- Self-righteous: Convinced of one's own righteousness, especially in contrast with the actions and beliefs of others.
- Easygoing: Relaxed and tolerant in attitude or manner.
- Unpretentious: Not attempting to impress others with an appearance of greater importance or merit than is actually possessed.
- Broad-minded: Tolerant or liberal in one's views and reactions; not easily offended.
While there are no common idioms using "priggish" itself, the concept is often captured in phrases like: - "Holier-than-thou": Behaving as if one is morally superior to other people. - His holier-than-thou attitude was just as off-putting as her priggish demeanor.
My aunt's priggish expression made me feel self-conscious about my new outfit.
- exaggeratedly proper
- my straitlaced Aunt Anna doesn't approve of my miniskirts