Prurient

Prurient describes an excessive interest in sexual matters, often characterized by a morbid or unhealthy curiosity. It implies a preoccupation with sexual content, often to an indecent or sensational degree. This interest can manifest in various forms, including focusing on sexually suggestive imagery, engaging in lascivious behavior, or harboring salacious thoughts. The term often carries a negative connotation, suggesting a violation of social norms, a lack of restraint, and a possible element of exploitation or objectification. It frequently points to a specific desire for sexual gratification that is considered inappropriate in the given context. Essentially, 'prurient' indicates a desire to be sexually aroused or excited; an often exaggerated or vulgar one.

Prurient meaning with examples

• The magazine's content was criticized for its Prurient focus on celebrity scandals and suggestive photos, exploiting personal lives for sensationalism, to sell more copies. The editors sought to captivate readers using a provocative and potentially harmful content. They sought to titillate readers rather than provide informative journalism. Critics highlighted the lack of respect for privacy.
• The defendant's defense against child pornography charges hinged on claiming that his interest in the images wasn't Prurient, but part of his research into the subject matter. His lawyer tried to paint his actions in a way that was not intended to be sexually arousing, but purely academic, as he claimed. However, prosecutors argued he was enjoying the images.
• The website’s comments section quickly devolved into a cesspool of Prurient speculation about the victim’s appearance and personal relationships, with other users participating in the activity. The thread became full of vulgar and insensitive responses. The lack of moderation allowed the salacious commentary to flourish, revealing the dark side of anonymity and the human capacity for degradation.
• The author's descriptions of the character’s physical attributes and intimate encounters were deemed gratuitous and Prurient, detracting from the story's overall narrative, and cheapening the other more meaningful elements of the story. The critic felt the author focused on descriptions that were meant to stir up sexual arousal, rather than move the story along or deepen the characters.
• Despite the film's artistic merit, the extensive use of sexually suggestive scenes earned it an 'X' rating due to its Prurient content. The use of overt sexuality, even though it may not be the goal of the filmmakers, was deemed enough to be too explicit for a wider audience, and not appropriate to the rating.