Puritanism

[ pyoor-i-tn-iz-uhm ]

noun

1. the principles and practices of the Puritans.
2. (sometimes lowercase) extreme strictness in moral or religious matters, often to excess; rigid austerity.

Other Words From

• an·ti-Pu·ri·tan·ism noun
• pro-Pu·ri·tan·ism noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of Puritanism¹

First recorded in 1565–75; Puritan + -ism

Example Sentences

American women expressed their support and impatience when fighting puritanism and conservatism using Femen tactics.

From The Daily Beast

H.L. Mencken famously defined puritanism as “the haunting fear that someone, somewhere, may be happy.”

From The Daily Beast

Never mind that Bill Clinton remains living proof of the silliness of modern puritanism.

From The Daily Beast

She talked to Marlow Stern about losing her virginity, Charlie Sheen, and sexual Puritanism.

From The Daily Beast

Positive thinking is Puritanism with a capitalist face, she believes.

From The Daily Beast

Some blathering parsons say that this blessed Mission is teaching men to talk cant and Puritanism.

From Project Gutenberg

Quite "continental," you perceive; and a long way from the Puritanism of our ancestors!

From Project Gutenberg

The American plutocracy has developed upon a superstructure of Puritanism, and therefore, in America, hypocrisy is necessary.

From Project Gutenberg

At its close the University was a hot-bed of Puritanism, where the fiercest tenets of Calvin reigned supreme.

From Project Gutenberg

The accession of the young Queen heralded one of those moods of puritanism which are chronic with English society.

From Project Gutenberg