priggishly
Definition
Adverb: - In a manner characteristic of a prig; behaving with an irritatingly self-righteous attitude, showing excessive concern for propriety and correctness, often while displaying an air of moral superiority.
Usage
The adverb "priggishly" is used to describe how an action is performed. It modifies verbs to indicate that the action is done in a smug, overly correct, or moralistic way.
Examples
- He corrected her grammar priggishly, making everyone at the table uncomfortable.
- She refused the offer of a drink, explaining priggishly that she never touched alcohol.
- The committee chair spoke priggishly about the importance of adhering to every minor rule.
Advanced Usage
- Used for stylistic emphasis: Often employed in literary or descriptive contexts to critique a character's behavior, highlighting their lack of humility or empathy.
- In the novel, the landlord priggishly enumerated the tenants' many perceived failings.
Variants and Related Words
- Priggish (adjective): Having the qualities of a prig; self-righteously correct and moralistic.
- His priggish comments about modern fashion were tiresome.
- Prig (noun): A person who is smugly self-righteous and overly concerned with propriety.
- He was such a prig that he lectured his friends on their table manners.
Synonyms
- Self-righteously: With conviction in one's own superior morality.
- Smugly: With excessive pride in oneself.
- Primly: In an excessively proper and precise manner.
- Prudishly: In an excessively modest or proper manner, often regarding morals.
Antonyms
- Humbly: In a modest or lowly manner.
- Unpretentiously: In a simple, straightforward way without pretension.
Related Idioms and Phrases
- To act holier-than-thou: To behave as if morally superior to others. (This phrase conveys a similar meaning to behaving "priggishly".)
- She acted so holier-than-thou about the fundraiser, as if she were the only one who cared.
Adverb
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in a priggish manner
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this professor acts so priggishly--like a moderator with a gavel!
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