prudery
/prudery/
Definition
Noun: 1. Excessive or affected modesty: The quality or state of being overly concerned with propriety and modesty, often in a way that is exaggerated, unnatural, or hypocritical. It implies a rigid and often judgmental adherence to conventional standards of behavior, especially regarding sexual matters.
Usage
Prudery is used to describe a person's character trait or a prevailing social attitude. It is a critical term, suggesting that the modesty is not genuine but is instead an exaggerated performance or a form of repression.
Examples
- Her constant criticism of modern fashion revealed a deep-seated prudery.
- The Victorian era is often stereotyped as a time of sexual repression and prudery.
- He accused the censorship board of sheer prudery for banning the artist's work.
Advanced Usage
- "Veil of prudery": A metaphorical phrase describing something hidden or justified by excessive modesty.
- The strict rules were just a veil of prudery masking the administration's fear of change.
Variants and Related Words
- Prude (noun): A person who is excessively concerned with propriety or modesty.
- She was labeled a prude for objecting to the crude jokes.
- Prudish (adjective): Behaving like a prude; characterized by prudery.
- His prudish aunt refused to discuss any topic related to relationships.
Synonyms
- Primness: Stiff formality and propriety.
- Grundyism: (Chiefly British) Extreme prudishness, named after a character (Mrs. Grundy) symbolizing rigid propriety.
- Puritanism: Strict morality, particularly regarding pleasure and sex.
Antonyms
- Libertinism: Disregard for moral restraints, especially in sexual conduct.
- Licentiousness: Lack of moral or sexual restraint.
- Broad-mindedness: Tolerance of varied views and behaviors.
Related Idioms and Phrases
- "Prudery and prejudice": Often used together to criticize a combination of excessive modesty and preconceived negative judgment.
- The decision was based more on prudery and prejudice than on rational argument.
Noun
-
excessive or affected modesty
Khám phá thêm
Các từ liên quan
Từ đồng nghĩa
