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pruriently

pruriently

9.9
In a way that shows too much interest in sex
  • adverb
  • /ˈprʊəriəntli/
  • Offensive
translation icon : lascivamente
  • He pruriently stared at the images, unable to look away from their suggestive nature.

Examples

  • Whore in the Sewer/Skivvy in the Sink equivalent in a pruriently puritanical culture of the Madwoman in the Attic.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • His full lips hold still underneath a gaze that's pruriently curious, and a tattooed sun circumscribes his navel.

    Academic text (2007)
  • The novel was criticized for its pruriently detailed descriptions of the characters' intimate encounters.

  • Her pruriently curious gaze made it clear she was more interested in the scandal than the truth.

Synonyms

lasciviously
vspruriently
  • Offensive
1 9.9

In a way that shows strong interest in sex and makes others uncomfortable

is more about intense lewd interest than overt aggressive display
lustfully
vspruriently
  • NSFW
1 6.7

In a way that shows strong desire for sex

is similar but emphasizes lewd curiosity rather than straightforward feeling
salaciously
vspruriently
  • Offensive
1 9.8

In a way that shows too much interest in sexual things

is similar but stresses a prying, lustful curiosity rather than scandal alone
lewdly
vspruriently
  • Offensive
1 8.5

In a sexual way that is rude or upsetting

is focused on excessive sexual interest rather than mere indecency
lecherously
vspruriently
  • Offensive
1 9.7

In a way that shows unwanted sexual interest

is about an intense prying interest rather than just desire expression
wantonly
vspruriently
  • Offensive
1 9.3

In a sexually unrestrained and immoral way

is about excessive sexual interest rather than simply lack of restraint
lubriciously
vspruriently
  • Offensive
9.9

In a way that shows sexual interest and feels rude to others

is centered on strong lustful curiosity rather than subtle suggestion
libidinously
vspruriently
  • NSFW
9.9

In a way that shows strong sexual desire

is more about voyeuristic or prying interest than internal desire alone
libidinally
vspruriently
  • NSFW
9.9

In a sexual way that shows strong desire

is more about excessive interest and lewd attention than neutral drive
smuttily
vspruriently
  • Offensive
9.9

In a sexual and indecent way

is focused on excessive sexual interest rather than simply crude presentation

Antonyms

28 3.1

In a simple, not showy way

28 2.6

In a way that shows no guilt or knowledge of something wrong

How Lustful

lecherously
  • Offensive
1 9.7
pruriently
  • Offensive
9.9
seductively
  • NSFW
8 6.7
suggestively
  • Offensive
3 7.4

Surface Forms

pruriently positive

Morphology

pruriently = prurient (transparent) = prurient + ly

Standard adverbial formation from the adjective 'prurient' plus '-ly', so the adverbial meaning is directly derived from the adjective.

Etymology

Pruriently comes from the Latin verb prurire, which means 'to itch'. So to act pruriently is like having an 'itch' for sexual things — an excessive, often rude interest in sex.