puritanical

[ pyoor-i-tan-i-kuhl ]

adjective

1. very strict in moral or religious matters, often excessively so; rigidly austere.
2. Sometimes Puritanical. of, relating to, or characteristic of Puritans or Puritanism.

puritanical

/ ˌpjʊərɪˈtænɪkəl /

adjective

1. derogatory.
   strict in moral or religious outlook, esp in shunning sensual pleasures
2. sometimes capital of or relating to a puritan or the Puritans

Derived Forms

• ˌpuriˈtanicalness, noun
• ˌpuriˈtanically, adverb

Other Words From

• puri·tani·cal·ly adverb
• puri·tani·cal·ness noun
• unpu·ri·tanic adjective
• unpu·ri·tani·cal adjective
• unpu·ri·tani·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of puritanical¹

First recorded in 1600–10; Puritan + -ical

Example Sentences

Congress enacted this archaic law in 1873 as part of a fit of puritanical panic against women’s rights.

From Slate

Before each performance, the scene is set by a narrator who speaks in a prim, puritanical accent reminiscent of a bygone era.

From Los Angeles Times

One expert who analysed Edwards said he grew up in a puritanical but hypocritical environment with a father described in court as “monstrous”.

From BBC

The Jesus Fellowship Church, which disbanded in 2019 after the BBC revealed allegations of widespread child abuse, recruited thousands of people to live in close-knit, puritanical communities in Northamptonshire, London and the Midlands.

From BBC

When I say we’ve taken the shame to the public square of social media, it’s because this is not that different from the kind of puritanical thinking of “The Scarlet Letter” and excommunications of all sorts that have existed throughout history.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• prudish
• rigid