What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
puritanic
Example
His puritanic beliefs prevented him from enjoying any form of entertainment. [puritanic: adjective]
Example
She had a puritanic approach to life, avoiding anything that could be considered sinful. [puritanic: noun]
ascetic
Example
The monk lived an ascetic life, spending most of his time in meditation and prayer. [ascetic: adjective]
Example
She admired the asceticism of the philosopher, who lived with only the bare essentials. [asceticism: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Ascetic is less common than puritanic in everyday language, but both words are more likely to be used in formal or academic contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between puritanic and ascetic?
Both puritanic and ascetic are formal words that are not commonly used in everyday conversation. However, puritanic may be perceived as more negative and judgmental, while ascetic is more neutral and can even be seen as admirable in certain contexts.