strait-laced
Stiffly proper always
Strait-laced describes someone who is excessively strict or rigid in matters of morality and proper behavior.
The strait in question is the same one found in straitjacket—meaning tight or constricting—not a body of water.
A strait-laced person typically disapproves of anything they consider improper or indecent, holding themselves and others to inflexible standards.
Her strait-laced aunt refused to discuss anything related to dating.
The spelling straight-laced, though common, is considered nonstandard.
Excessively strict about morals
- prudishExcessively concerned with propriety
- primAffectedly proper and stiff
- properSocially appropriate
- priggishSmugly self-righteous
sanctimonious · holier-than-thou · self-righteous · judgmental · pietistic · preachy · Victorian · censorious
Formally reserved, emotionally guarded
- stiffNot easily bent
- formalFollowing strict protocol
- restrainedHeld under control
- inhibitedHeld back by self-consciousness
repressed · uptight · controlled · composed · reticent · demure · decorous · dignified
Unable to bend
- unbendingRefusing to change position
- strictRigorous, without flexibility
- uncompromisingRefusing to yield ground
- sternStrict or ship's aft
hardline · unyielding · orthodox · dogmatic · intransigent · by-the-book · rule-bound · unadaptable
Following long-held customs
- conservativeCautious about altering customs
- old-fashionedBelonging to earlier times
- squareRhombus with right angles
- bourgeoisMiddle-class and conventional
conformist · orthodox · proper · stuffy · fuddy-duddy · mainstream · establishment · respectable
Practicing restraint with indulgences
- asceticOne who renounces indulgence
- spartanRigorously simple, unadorned
- temperateMild, avoiding extremes
- soberFree from intoxication
frugal · self-denying · teetotal · disciplined · abstinent · moderate · restrained · simple
puritanical
Excessively strict about morals
- prudishExcessively concerned with propriety
- primAffectedly proper and stiff
- properSocially appropriate
priggish · sanctimonious · holier-than-thou · self-righteous · judgmental · pietistic · preachy · Victorian · censorious · disapproving
buttoned-up
Formally reserved, emotionally guarded
- stiffNot easily bent
- formalFollowing strict protocol
- restrainedHeld under control
inhibited · repressed · uptight · controlled · composed · reticent · demure · decorous · dignified · staid
inflexible
Unable to bend
- unbendingRefusing to change position
- strictRigorous, without flexibility
- uncompromisingRefusing to yield ground
stern · hardline · unyielding · orthodox · dogmatic · intransigent · by-the-book · rule-bound · unadaptable · exacting
traditional
Following long-held customs
- conservativeCautious about altering customs
- old-fashionedBelonging to earlier times
- squareRhombus with right angles
bourgeois · conformist · orthodox · proper · stuffy · fuddy-duddy · mainstream · establishment · respectable · straight-arrow
abstemious
Practicing restraint with indulgences
- asceticOne who renounces indulgence
- spartanRigorously simple, unadorned
- temperateMild, avoiding extremes
sober · frugal · self-denying · teetotal · disciplined · abstinent · moderate · restrained · simple · unindulgent
- prudishnessprimness, priggishness, prissiness, puritanism, stuffiness
- Puritanismpuritanism, moral purity, prudery, prudishness, strictness
- professional traitsprofessional, formal, organized, efficient, punctual
- strictsevere, stern, harsh, rigid, firm
- restrainedrestrained, reserved, subdued, controlled, muted
- uprightupright, erect, vertical, perpendicular, standing
strait-lacedlibertine
One lacking moral restraint
debauched · dissolute · licentious · immoral · sinful
strait-laceduninhibited
Free from self-censorship
freewheeling · unreserved · free-spirited · wild · unrestrained
strait-lacedbroad-minded
Receptive to differing views
liberal · tolerant · permissive · open-minded · progressive