prudish
Shocked by innuendo
Prudish describes someone excessively concerned with propriety, especially regarding sex or bodily functions.
A prudish person is easily shocked or offended by things others find unremarkable: She was too prudish to laugh at the joke.
The word carries a note of criticism—suggesting the sensitivity is excessive or performative rather than genuinely principled.
Affectedly proper and stiff
- properSocially appropriate
- stuffyLacking fresh air
- uptightAnxiously rigid in manner
- stiffNot easily bent
fussy · fastidious · rigid · straitlaced · buttoned-up · starched · formal · inhibited
Excessively strict about morals
- sanctimoniousFeigning moral superiority
- holier-than-thouSmugly moralistic toward others
- judgmentalInclined to criticize others
- priggishSmugly self-righteous
preachy · self-righteous · censorious · disapproving · moralistic · bluenose · goody-goody · pietistic
Easily disgusted or nauseated
- oversensitiveExcessively prone to offense
- pearl-clutchingTheatrical display of offense
- scandalizedDeeply offended morally
- shockedDeeply startled or appalled
offended · horrified · appalled · delicate · prissy · faint-hearted · skittish · uncomfortable
prim
Affectedly proper and stiff
stiff · fussy · fastidious · rigid · straitlaced · buttoned-up · starched · formal · inhibited · repressed
puritanical
Excessively strict about morals
- sanctimoniousFeigning moral superiority
- holier-than-thouSmugly moralistic toward others
- judgmentalInclined to criticize others
priggish · preachy · self-righteous · censorious · disapproving · moralistic · bluenose · goody-goody · pietistic · strait-laced
squeamish
Easily disgusted or nauseated
- oversensitiveExcessively prone to offense
- pearl-clutchingTheatrical display of offense
- scandalizedDeeply offended morally
shocked · offended · horrified · appalled · delicate · prissy · faint-hearted · skittish · uncomfortable · blushing
demure
Modestly reserved in manner
- chasteAbstaining from sexual activity
- virtuousMorally excellent, principled
- decorousSocially appropriate, dignified
coy · bashful · modest · pure · refined · restrained · proper · innocent · old-fashioned · conservative
prudishpermissive
Tolerant, lacking strictness
licentious · promiscuous · liberal · libertine · immodest
prudishuninhibited
Free from self-censorship
liberated · free-spirited · unshockable · worldly · sophisticated
prudishuninhibited
Free from self-censorship
unrepressed · free · relaxed · easygoing · carefree