Antonyms for prudery


Grammar : Noun
Spell : proo-duh-ree
Phonetic Transcription : ˈpru də ri


Definition of prudery

Origin :
  • 1709, from prude + -ery and in part from French pruderie.
  • The peculiarity of prudery is to multiply sentinels, in proportion as the fortress is less threatened. [Victor Hugo, "Les Misérables"]
  • Some 20c. writers in English used extended form prudibundery, in many cases likely for contemptuous emphasis, from French prudibonderie "prudery."
  • As in modesty : noun shyness
  • As in priggishness : noun prudishness
  • As in stiffness : noun inflexibility
  • As in humbleness : noun modesty
  • As in lowliness : noun modesty
  • As in self-effacement : noun modesty
Example sentences :
  • This may seem like vanity or prudery; but no matter what it appears, if it be right.
  • Extract from : « Tales And Novels, Volume 8 (of 10) » by Maria Edgeworth
  • You, at one time, thought me guilty of some degree of Prudery.
  • Extract from : « Clarissa: Preface, Hints of Prefaces, and Postscript » by Samuel Richardson
  • Prudery is, so to speak, sexual modesty codified and dogmatized.
  • Extract from : « The Sexual Question » by August Forel
  • The prudery that was itself a sin had penetrated the armor of her innocence.
  • Extract from : « The Shadow of a Crime » by Hall Caine
  • It was difficult to associate Beth with the idea of prudery or affectation.
  • Extract from : « The Vagrant Duke » by George Gibbs
  • In avoiding French freedom, we often substitute an Anglo-American prudery.
  • Extract from : « The Young Maiden » by A. B. (Artemas Bowers) Muzzey
  • I'm sick of this prudery which throws its own hideousness over all it sees.
  • Extract from : « The Hero » by William Somerset Maugham
  • With their platitudes, their prudery, and their chastity, they make for death.
  • Extract from : « An Anarchist Woman » by Hutchins Hapgood
  • To affectation and prudery the French women are equally strangers.
  • Extract from : « Sketches of the Fair Sex, in All Parts of the World » by Anonymous
  • Ere night this jealous garment will have lost half its prudery.
  • Extract from : « The White Chief » by Mayne Reid

Synonyms for prudery

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019