puritanism

noun pu·ri·tan·ism \ ˈpyu̇r-ə-tᵊn-ˌi-zəm \

|Updated on: 13 May 2018

Examples: puritanism in a Sentence

Definition of puritanism

1 capitalized : the beliefs and practices characteristic of the Puritans

2 : strictness and austerity especially in matters of religion or conduct

See puritanism defined for English-language learners

Examples of puritanism in a Sentence

the Victorian era was often characterized by a hypocritical puritanism

Recent Examples of puritanism from the Web

As a result, indie rock’s penchant for puritanism and subcultural snobbery was dwindling, and authenticity was beginning to be privileged over obscurity.

— emma madden, Billboard, "How The Yeah Yeahs' 'Maps' Helped Change the Way We View the Relationship Between Pop and Indie," 26 Apr. 2018
Season One established a fallen version of America, explaining that the country collapsed following a rapid decline in fertility rates, which prompted the rise of a totalitarian government founded on puritanism and misogyny.

— emma dibdin, Esquire, "Everything We Know About The Handmaid's Tale Season Two Right Now," 22 Feb. 2018
But the party’s puritanism is at odds with the tastes of young Chinese.

— The Economist, "Rappers’ knuckles rappedWhy hip-hop scares the Chinese Communist Party," 25 Jan. 2018
Our puritanism, that is, permits and fosters the politically pornographic.

— rhonda garelick, The Cut, "Stormy Daniels Is to Trump As Trump Is to America," 23 Jan. 2018
And puritanism was pushed hard as a response to a double political shock in 1979: the siege of the Great Mosque in Mecca by Sunni extremists; and the Islamic revolution in Iran, which became ruled by radical Shia clerics.

— The Economist, "Driving changeSaudi Arabia will finally allow women to drive," 27 Sep. 2017
And puritanism was pushed hard as a response to a double political shock in 1979: the siege of the Great Mosque in Mecca by Sunni extremists

— The Economist, "Driving changeSaudi Arabia will finally allow women to drive," 27 Sep. 2017
Those seeking a more sobering perspective on the toxic highs of celebrity may want to make the pilgrimage to the Boston area, the cradle of admonitory American puritanism.

— ben brantley, New York Times, "The Pain of Fame, With Sondheim, Warhol and Capote as Guides," 6 Oct. 2017
In part its puritanism was a response to a double shock in 1979, the Islamic revolution in mainly Shia Iran and the siege of the Great Mosque in Mecca by Sunni extremists.

— The Economist, "Driving reformAt last Saudi women will be allowed to take the wheel," 30 Sep. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'puritanism.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of puritanism

1573

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

puritanism Synonyms

PURITANISM Defined for English Language Learners

puritanism

noun

Definition of puritanism for English Language Learners

Puritanism : the beliefs and practices of Puritans
: the beliefs and practices of people who follow very strict moral and religious rules about the proper way to behave and live