puritanical

[pyoo-ri-tan-i-kuhl]

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

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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.