prig
Holier-than-thou type
A prig is someone who is smugly self-righteous about moral or social propriety, often making others feel judged for minor transgressions.
The word suggests excessive concern with correctness and a superior attitude: He's such a prig about table manners.
Priggish behavior combines primness with condescension—the prig doesn't just follow rules but looks down on those who don't.
Smugly certain of correctness
- sanctimoniousFeigning moral superiority
- holier-than-thouSmugly moralistic toward others
- judgmentalInclined to criticize others
- preachyExcessively moralizing in tone
moralizing · censorious · disapproving · puritanical · straitlaced · prudish · smugness · lecturing
Affectedly proper and stiff
- properSocially appropriate
- strait-lacedExcessively proper and strict
- prudishExcessively concerned with propriety
- demureModestly reserved in manner
decorous · modest · squeamish · Victorian · overmodest · uptight · stuffy · stiff
Excessively particular
- fastidiousExcessively attentive to detail
- punctiliousExcessively careful about details
- nitpickingExcessive focus on trivialities
- persnicketyExcessively concerned with details
finicky · stickler · meticulous · precise · particular · scrupulous · perfectionist · hair-splitting
Condescending toward perceived inferiors
- superciliousArrogantly contemptuous of others
- condescendingSuperior and dismissive manner
- haughtyDisdainfully proud
- superiorHigher in rank
stuck-up · hoity-toity · highfalutin · pretentious · self-important · smug · conceited · disdainful
self-righteous
Smugly certain of correctness
- sanctimoniousFeigning moral superiority
- holier-than-thouSmugly moralistic toward others
- judgmentalInclined to criticize others
preachy · moralizing · censorious · disapproving · puritanical · straitlaced · prudish · smugness · lecturing · finger-wagging
prim
Affectedly proper and stiff
- properSocially appropriate
- strait-lacedExcessively proper and strict
- prudishExcessively concerned with propriety
demure · decorous · modest · squeamish · Victorian · overmodest · uptight · stuffy · stiff · reserved
fussy
Excessively particular
- fastidiousExcessively attentive to detail
- punctiliousExcessively careful about details
- nitpickingExcessive focus on trivialities
persnickety · finicky · stickler · meticulous · precise · particular · scrupulous · perfectionist · hair-splitting · quibbling
snobbish
Condescending toward perceived inferiors
- superciliousArrogantly contemptuous of others
- condescendingSuperior and dismissive manner
- haughtyDisdainfully proud
superior · stuck-up · hoity-toity · highfalutin · pretentious · self-important · smug · conceited · disdainful · contemptuous