as in warm
formal + usually disapproving
having or showing too much interest in sex
He took a prurient interest in their personal life. a book that appealed to the prurient curiosity of its readers
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Recent Examples of prurient
In the decades that followed, the media took a similarly prurient tack in its coverage of women’s competitive swimming.
—
Sophia Stewart, The Atlantic, 21 June 2024
But beyond it, Morgan sketches a real Manhattan ruled by prurient and destructive masculine appetites, from subway tunnels occupied by ad hoc homeless communities to office towers where the city’s most powerful residents impose their wills on millions of fellow New Yorkers.
—Judy Berman, TIME, 31 May 2024
That might also have had something to do with a male protagonist being less subject to the prurient aspects of Sorrentino’s gaze.
—David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 May 2024
The common theme emerging from these politically conservative Marylanders is that Maryland public school librarians have nothing substantial to offer regarding the protection of young minds from prurient interests.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 18 Mar. 2024
See All Example Sentences for prurient
Sophia Stewart, The Atlantic, 21 June 2024
But beyond it, Morgan sketches a real Manhattan ruled by prurient and destructive masculine appetites, from subway tunnels occupied by ad hoc homeless communities to office towers where the city’s most powerful residents impose their wills on millions of fellow New Yorkers.
—Judy Berman, TIME, 31 May 2024
That might also have had something to do with a male protagonist being less subject to the prurient aspects of Sorrentino’s gaze.
—David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 May 2024
The common theme emerging from these politically conservative Marylanders is that Maryland public school librarians have nothing substantial to offer regarding the protection of young minds from prurient interests.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 18 Mar. 2024
See All Example Sentences for prurient
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prurient
Adjective
-
Mocha Mist channels caramel’s charm and curiosity, the Organic Basics collaborator said, while Brûlée Brown is a rich, warm sophisticated shade.—
Alexandra Harrell,
Sourcing Journal,
6 Mar. 2025
-
However, the Tigers seem to have set themselves up for warmer days ahead.—
Quentin Corpuel,
Kansas City Star,
6 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Most of my writing energy went into composing my vast unpublishable novels, one and then another.—
Andrew Cockburn,
Harper's Magazine,
22 Aug. 2024
-
Contemporary critics tend to breeze through the last two decades of Schwartz’s life, hitting only the saddest events: the second divorce; the increasing alcoholism; the unpublishable poems, many written during bouts of mania; the money problems; the undignified death.—
Maggie Doherty,
The New Yorker,
15 Apr. 2024
Adjective
-
These wines are big, bold, and spicy, often with rich blackberry and dark chocolate flavors.—
Emily Price,
Forbes,
6 Mar. 2025
-
Start or end your night with a cocktail at Hansen’s Shoe Repair, a speakeasy with a rooftop patio in a historic building, or Aku-Aku, a small tiki bar with a spicy secret menu.—
Kelsey Glennon,
Southern Living,
5 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
According to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), individuals may not block access to sidewalks or buildings, disrupt counterprotests, or engage in speech that is obscene, makes knowingly false statements of fact, or incites immediate violence or dangerous disturbances.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
5 Mar. 2025
-
There is absolutely nothing in libraries across the state that is obscene.—
Laura Tillman,
Hartford Courant,
27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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He was convicted of attempting to commit lewd or lascivious acts with a child under 14 and is listed on the Megan’s Law website.—
Nathan Solis,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Feb. 2025
-
Robert Alan Rouse, 36, of Clearwater, is charged with two counts of lewd and lascivious molestation of a victim under 12 years old, according to Pinellas County court records filed by Clearwater police.—
Alexandra Koch,
Fox News,
14 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Orange Beach has a vulgarity ordinance on the books, which was enacted about a decade ago amid concerns about vulgar or indecent T-shirts and other merchandise sold at souvenir stores.—
al,
al,
20 Jan. 2023
-
Because there are more good people than indecent ones.—
Jack Irvin,
Peoplemag,
12 Jan. 2023
Adjective
-
The latest: Photos and videos posted to Facebook, Reddit and other sites showed the Patriots Place sign displaying non-explicit cartoon images of anthropomorphic dogs, a cat and one very suggestive purple wolf on a rainbow background.—
Mike Deehan,
Axios,
25 Feb. 2025
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However, both workers had shown symptoms suggestive of infection, the study said.—
Susanne Rust,
Los Angeles Times,
21 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Impacted national park and forest employees say fewer workers will lead to longer lines, filthy bathrooms and unsafe hiking and camping conditions at America's precious public lands.—
Marlene Lenthang,
NBC News,
24 Feb. 2025
-
Between sweat, body oils, dust, dirt, hair, and grime, yoga mats, weights, and treadmills can get pretty filthy.—
Maria Sabella,
Better Homes & Gardens,
11 Feb. 2025
Articles Related to prurient
Cite this Entry
“Prurient.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prurient. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
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