prudery

/prudery/
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prudery

A person's prudery made them avert their eyes from the classical statue.

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.
prudery

A person's prudery made them avert their eyes from the classical statue.

Noun
  1. excessive or affected modesty

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