1
as in tidy
being clean and in good order
behind the bed-and-breakfast is a prim little garden where guests are served afternoon tea
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in Victorian
given to or marked by very conservative standards regarding personal behavior or morals
a very prim and proper matron was in charge of the girls' dorm
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of prim
However, your front yard doesn't need to feel too prim and proper.
—
Helena Madden, Martha Stewart, 27 Feb. 2026
Finnerty Mackay, who blended prim wool tailoring with Latex shirts and shaggy skirts, said his collection was inspired by addiction.
—Violet Goldstone, Footwear News, 20 Feb. 2026
The film is incredibly, even magnificently, stylish, but beyond its initial presentation, there just isn’t very much guiding the story in any novel or exciting ways — beyond, perhaps, thematic echoes of how the less prim-and-proper tech bros of today might be pulling a fast one too.
—Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 15 Feb. 2026
Last year’s boxing boot trend set the stage for a more prim and polished throwback in 2026.
—Shelby Ying Hyde, Refinery29, 4 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for prim
Helena Madden, Martha Stewart, 27 Feb. 2026
Finnerty Mackay, who blended prim wool tailoring with Latex shirts and shaggy skirts, said his collection was inspired by addiction.
—Violet Goldstone, Footwear News, 20 Feb. 2026
The film is incredibly, even magnificently, stylish, but beyond its initial presentation, there just isn’t very much guiding the story in any novel or exciting ways — beyond, perhaps, thematic echoes of how the less prim-and-proper tech bros of today might be pulling a fast one too.
—Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 15 Feb. 2026
Last year’s boxing boot trend set the stage for a more prim and polished throwback in 2026.
—Shelby Ying Hyde, Refinery29, 4 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for prim
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prim
Adjective
-
That’s not an opinion shared by MVP Arena in Albany, though, which expects to turn a tidy profit this weekend.—
Justin Birnbaum,
Sportico.com,
29 Mar. 2026
-
The Firkus house was clean and tidy, and the entryway table beside the front door was undisturbed.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The Sherlock Holmes series adds a touch of Victorian charm with rich wood paneling, brass accents, and cozy reading nooks perfect for sleuthing through your own novels.—
Elizabeth Fogarty,
Better Homes & Gardens,
23 Aug. 2025
-
In the 2001 episode shot above Times Square, the poet Michael Stipe sits regal in a Victorian skirt and peppers Automatic for the People and Reveal songs with a rant about George Bush’s nuclear energy policy.—
Brittany Allen,
Literary Hub,
22 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Jenner, who shares daughter Stormi, 8, and son Aire, 4, with ex Travis Scott, showcased a neon chartreuse string bikini with lace trim.—
Danielle Minnetian,
FOXNews.com,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Moreover, the trim little contraption cut a wholesome figure reminiscent of a Richard Scarry book—as if a courtesy tram birthed a tiny Zamboni.—
Henry Alford,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Experts are split on the subject, but Alfoneh argued the key differences will be a greater stress on Iranian nationalism and less concern with the puritanical social policies of the clerical government.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Cleopatra Called This curler took the puritanical twigs that were my eyelashes and pressed them into lush crescent fans of divine feminine bliss.—
Fiona Landers,
New Yorker,
4 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The brain bug's intrinsic ick factor is undeniably high, but using their proboscises to suck thoughts directly from the brains of their unfortunate victims is a pretty neat party trick.—
Richard Edwards,
Space.com,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Trim them to clean, neat geometric shapes to contrast with the biomorphic shapes of hydrangeas.—
Leanne Potts,
Better Homes & Gardens,
2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Not an orderly affair, but a free-for-all.—
Scott Neuman,
NPR,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Cisco has finally reached new all-time highs, but the path higher has been gradual and orderly, not excessive.—
Frank Cappelleri,
CNBC,
25 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Prim.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prim. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
