1. an unhealthy interest in or preoccupation with sexual matters
Usage: formal; often disapproving

Examples

• The critic accused the film of appealing to prurience rather than artistic merit.
• The newspaper’s prurience was evident in its sensationalized coverage of the scandal.
• She dismissed the gossip as mere prurience disguised as concern.
• The book was banned for its alleged prurience and inappropriate content.
• His questions revealed an uncomfortable prurience about his neighbor’s private life.
• The magazine’s success was built on prurience rather than quality journalism.