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

Examples

• The critic accused the film of appealing to pruriency rather than artistic merit.
• The novel was banned for its alleged pruriency and inappropriate content.
• She dismissed the gossip as mere pruriency disguised as concern.
• The magazine’s pruriency made it unsuitable for younger readers.
• His comments revealed an uncomfortable pruriency that made others uneasy.
• The censors were concerned about the pruriency of the theatrical performance.