puritanical Definition
- 1having or displaying a very strict moral attitude towards pleasure and physical enjoyment
- 2marked by stern morality, especially in regards to sexual behavior
Using puritanical: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "puritanical" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The school's dress code was criticized for being too puritanical.
Example
The novel was banned for its puritanical themes.
Example
Her puritanical views on sex and marriage were well-known.
Example
The town's puritanical values clashed with the new wave of liberalism.
puritanical Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for puritanical
Antonyms for puritanical
- libertine
- hedonistic
Phrases with puritanical
a tendency to be overly strict or moralistic in one's attitudes or behaviors
Example
Despite her liberal views, she had a puritanical streak when it came to alcohol and drugs.
a strict and disciplined approach to work, often characterized by long hours and little leisure time
Example
His puritanical work ethic was admired by his colleagues, but it left him with little time for his family.
a community or culture that is characterized by strict moral codes and a lack of tolerance for behavior that deviates from those codes
Example
The town was a puritanical society where any form of dissent was met with hostility.
Origins of puritanical
from 'Puritan', a member of a group of English Protestants who in the 16th and 17th centuries advocated strict religious discipline along with simplification of the ceremonies and creeds of the Church of England
Summary: puritanical in Brief
'Puritanical' [pyoo-ri-tan-i-kuhl] describes a strict moral attitude towards pleasure and physical enjoyment, often marked by stern morality, especially in regards to sexual behavior. It can be used to describe people, attitudes, or societies, as in 'The town's puritanical values clashed with the new wave of liberalism.' 'Puritanical' extends into phrases like 'puritanical streak,' denoting a tendency to be overly strict or moralistic, and 'puritanical work ethic,' implying a strict and disciplined approach to work.
