Procrustean

[ proh-kruhs-tee-uhn ]

adjective

1. pertaining to or suggestive of Procrustes.
2. (often lowercase) tending to produce conformity by violent or arbitrary means.

Procrustean

/ prəʊˈkrʌstɪən /

adjective

1. tending or designed to produce conformity by violent or ruthless methods

Word History and Origins

Origin of Procrustean¹

First recorded in 1640–50; Procruste(s) + -an

Example Sentences

Then by a Procrustean process he packs the complex and irregular facts into his scheme.

From Project Gutenberg

We then proceed to apply the Procrustean bed principle with the very acme of sang froid.

From Project Gutenberg

Young limbs will not always adjust themselves to the Procrustean bed.

From Project Gutenberg

It is an error to suppose that beauty must be racked on a procrustean bed of formula.

From Project Gutenberg

To him the judicial office was a Procrustean one of fitting each case to the legal bed, if necessary by a surgical operation.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• ruthless