puritanical

adjective

pu·​ri·​tan·​i·​cal ˌpyu̇r-ə-ˈta-ni-kəl 

1

: of, relating to, or characterized by a rigid morality

2

: puritan

puritanically

ˌpyu̇r-ə-ˈta-ni-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Synonyms

• bluenosed
• nice-nelly
• prim
• prudish
• straitlaced
• straightlaced
• Victorian

Examples of puritanical in a Sentence

some of the state laws concerning sexual behavior are vestiges of a more puritanical time and are rarely, if ever, enforced

Recent Examples on the Web

In voiceover, Ai fondly recalls her own uncles and aunts sneaking out to clubs at night, partying all weekend, clashing with their elders and the more puritanical past generations stunned by the appropriation of sexier dress, style, and musical verve. —Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 25 Oct. 2024

In this version, religious zealots—some imported, and some homegrown—are trying to impose a puritanical form of religious law on society. —Daniel Corstange, Foreign Affairs, 14 Sep. 2016

Before each performance, the scene is set by a narrator who speaks in a prim, puritanical accent reminiscent of a bygone era. —Sonaiya Kelley, Los Angeles Times, 10 Oct. 2024

The complaints were frequently of a puritanical and/or phony high-brow bent. —Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 16 Aug. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined at sense 2