as in Victorian
given to or marked by very conservative standards regarding personal behavior or morals
some of the state laws concerning sexual behavior are vestiges of a more puritanical time and are rarely, if ever, enforced
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of puritanical
For Max in particular, his parent’s lifelong humorless severity looks more and more like malevolent delusion under a cloak of puritanical righteousness.
—
Dennis Harvey, Variety, 11 July 2025
At a moment when puritanical forces in this country are actively trying to deny Americans the freedom to be themselves, that’s radical enough.
—Simon Vozick-Levinson, Rolling Stone, 25 June 2025
Wisconsinites are also distinguished by their puritanical work ethic.
—Chadd Scott, Forbes.com, 7 June 2025
First, the movement of women telling their stories of victimization online was dismissed by many as a toxic importation of puritanical American mores that were unnecessary in a culture of seduction and harmony between the sexes.
—Catherine Porter, New York Times, 15 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for puritanical
Dennis Harvey, Variety, 11 July 2025
At a moment when puritanical forces in this country are actively trying to deny Americans the freedom to be themselves, that’s radical enough.
—Simon Vozick-Levinson, Rolling Stone, 25 June 2025
Wisconsinites are also distinguished by their puritanical work ethic.
—Chadd Scott, Forbes.com, 7 June 2025
First, the movement of women telling their stories of victimization online was dismissed by many as a toxic importation of puritanical American mores that were unnecessary in a culture of seduction and harmony between the sexes.
—Catherine Porter, New York Times, 15 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for puritanical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for puritanical
Victorian
Adjective
-
The Sherlock Holmes series adds a touch of Victorian charm with rich wood paneling, brass accents, and cozy reading nooks perfect for sleuthing through your own novels.—
Elizabeth Fogarty,
Better Homes & Gardens,
23 Aug. 2025
-
In the 2001 episode shot above Times Square, the poet Michael Stipe sits regal in a Victorian skirt and peppers Automatic for the People and Reveal songs with a rant about George Bush’s nuclear energy policy.—
Brittany Allen,
Literary Hub,
22 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Puritanical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/puritanical. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share