Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
dictionary thesaurus view recents

puritanism

noun
Save Word
pu·​ri·​tan·​ism | \ ˈpyu̇r-ə-tᵊn-ˌi-zəm How to pronounce puritanism (audio) \

Definition of puritanism

1 capitalized : the beliefs and practices characteristic of the Puritans
2 : strictness and austerity especially in matters of religion or conduct
Synonyms Example Sentences Learn More about puritanism

Keep scrolling for more

Examples of puritanism in a Sentence

the Victorian era was often characterized by a hypocritical puritanism
Recent Examples on the Web In my view, forms of puritanism and freedom have coexisted simultaneously in every era. — Vladimir Vladimirovich Nabokov, Harper's magazine, "Sex and Sensibility," 28 Oct. 2019 Oil wealth has hidden a woefully unproductive economy, and fuelled Islamic ultra-puritanism around the world. — The Economist, "How to ensure Muhammad bin Salman’s reforms succeed," 23 June 2018 That relationship allowed investigators to paint Muck as both subversive and immoral—a one-two punch of xenophobia and puritanism. — Alex Ross, The New Yorker, "The “Star-Spangled Banner” Controversy That Altered the Course of American Music," 2 July 2019 Which brings us to the party that really pays for the new puritanism: the arts consumer. — Lionel Shriver, Harper's magazine, "Cruel and Unusual Punishment," 10 Feb. 2019 The stigma is part of a creeping puritanism that has stifled the arts in Egypt in recent decades. — Declan Walsh, New York Times, "Foreign Belly Dancers? Egyptians Shake Their Heads (and Hips)," 8 July 2018 There is a certain amount of puritanism that exists in the United States. — Ceylan Yeginsu, New York Times, "Benetton ‘Migrants’ Ads Draw Outrage for Using Photos of Real Migrants," 21 June 2018 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

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.

See More

First Known Use of puritanism

1573, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about puritanism

Time Traveler for puritanism

Time Traveler

The first known use of puritanism was in 1573

See more words from the same year

Statistics for puritanism

Cite this Entry

“Puritanism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/puritanism. Accessed 29 May. 2020.

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for puritanism

puritanism

noun
How to pronounce puritanism (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of puritanism

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

See the full definition for puritanism in the English Language Learners Dictionary

Keep scrolling for more

More from Merriam-Webster on puritanism

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for puritanism

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with puritanism

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about puritanism

Comments on puritanism

What made you want to look up puritanism? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

assail

Listen to the pronunciation of assail

See Definitions and Examples »

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

May 2020 Words of the Day Quiz

  • a blooming wisteria tree
  • Which is a synonym of exiguous?
Spell It

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

TAKE THE QUIZ
Citation

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games