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.

But the show's outlandish plots more than made up for its primness, whether that was ACP Pradyuman coming back from the dead or inspector Daya single-handedly manoeuvring a poison-gas filled plane to safety.

From BBC • Dec. 7, 2024

Sure, it’s sort of pretending to be private and polite, and this gives it a slightly weird and contorted energy; you don’t often see trolling combined with H-E-double-hockey-sticks primness.

From Slate • Nov. 4, 2021

The deeper problem is just that they seem leering and gratuitous, even as Hopper’s rigid handling infuses them with a certain Yankee primness.

From Washington Post • Nov. 27, 2019

But in Andrews’ exquisitely judged performance, what might have played like mere primness or arrogance instead emerges as something so much more human and delicate and understated.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 6, 2019

"Are we going to have any music tonight?" inquired Miss Delmege, with a sudden effect of primness.

From The War-Workers by Delafield, E.M.