prig
noun
a person who displays or demands of others pointlessly precise conformity, fussiness about trivialities, or exaggerated propriety, especially in a self-righteous or irritating manner.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The novel priggishly assures us that storms in love are all the result of private-property relations.
From The New Yorker ● Jul. 23, 2018
Morgan imbues Louisa with poignant grace, and Davis makes priggishly pious Anna less of a cartoon than she might otherwise be.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 5, 2016
Neshaminy priggishly piles on, labeling her behavior as "egregious."
From New York Times ● Nov. 19, 2015
The Second was also priggishly didactic, prescribing what its ivory tower editors and consultants considered “proper” language, and brusquely dismissing usage that was, as its labels declared, incorrect, improper, or illiterate.
From Slate ● Jan. 12, 2015
Pretty soon they would be representing the poet as a priggishly honest and judicious man.
From Là-bas by Keene Wallace
