puritanical
adjective
pu·ri·tan·i·cal
ˌpyu̇r-ə-ˈta-ni-kəl 
1
: of, relating to, or characterized by a rigid morality
2
: puritan
Synonyms
Examples of puritanical in a Sentence
some of the state laws concerning sexual behavior are vestiges of a more puritanical time and are rarely, if ever, enforced
Recent Examples on the Web
On the Hollywood front, filmmakers had to obey the puritanical mandates of the Hays Code, its instructions against depicting interracial romance curtailing meatier opportunities for performers of colour.
—
Hazlitt, 29 Nov. 2023
Shutterstock file Britain has always had its own particular brand of risque humor, often exporting it to the States, where stars like Brand, who had a brief stint in Hollywood movies, shocked its traditionally more puritanical audiences.
—Alexander Smith, NBC News, 23 Sep. 2023
The British equivalent—cumbersome, puritanical, wet-weather appropriate—of Brazil’s toe-bearing thongs, Paltrow must like the feeling of rubber against her soles when the mercury rises.
—Daniel Rodgers, Vogue, 22 Aug. 2023
Paul Reubens was a casualty of America’s repressive, puritanical patriarchy, which rewards violence and condemns sexuality.
—Nicholas Bell, Spin, 7 Aug. 2023
Europeans can no longer snicker about the American puritanical streak, the old litmus test for our politicians.
—Nina Burleigh, The New Republic, 1 Aug. 2023
Media coverage oscillated wildly between sycophantic applause and puritanical scrutiny - celebrities made to traipse an ephemeral, razor thin line between public adoration and detestation.
—Colin Scanlon, Redbook, 4 Aug. 2023
There is a chance that Western democracies will overcome the current waves of right-wing populism and left-wing moralism, but the prospects will be much better if the Elect can learn to temper their puritanical zeal.
—Ian Buruma, Harper's Magazine, 2 June 2023
These views have often been dismissed as essentialist and puritanical in the face of the ‘free love’ movement that characterised the 1960s and 70s.
—Hannah Uguru, refinery29.com, 21 May 2023
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Hazlitt, 29 Nov. 2023
Shutterstock file Britain has always had its own particular brand of risque humor, often exporting it to the States, where stars like Brand, who had a brief stint in Hollywood movies, shocked its traditionally more puritanical audiences.
—Alexander Smith, NBC News, 23 Sep. 2023
The British equivalent—cumbersome, puritanical, wet-weather appropriate—of Brazil’s toe-bearing thongs, Paltrow must like the feeling of rubber against her soles when the mercury rises.
—Daniel Rodgers, Vogue, 22 Aug. 2023
Paul Reubens was a casualty of America’s repressive, puritanical patriarchy, which rewards violence and condemns sexuality.
—Nicholas Bell, Spin, 7 Aug. 2023
Europeans can no longer snicker about the American puritanical streak, the old litmus test for our politicians.
—Nina Burleigh, The New Republic, 1 Aug. 2023
Media coverage oscillated wildly between sycophantic applause and puritanical scrutiny - celebrities made to traipse an ephemeral, razor thin line between public adoration and detestation.
—Colin Scanlon, Redbook, 4 Aug. 2023
There is a chance that Western democracies will overcome the current waves of right-wing populism and left-wing moralism, but the prospects will be much better if the Elect can learn to temper their puritanical zeal.
—Ian Buruma, Harper's Magazine, 2 June 2023
These views have often been dismissed as essentialist and puritanical in the face of the ‘free love’ movement that characterised the 1960s and 70s.
—Hannah Uguru, refinery29.com, 21 May 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'puritanical.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1598, in the meaning defined at sense 2
Dictionary Entries Near puritanical
Cite this Entry
“Puritanical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/puritanical. Accessed 10 Dec. 2023.
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