1 puritanical | Definition of puritanical

puritanical

adjective
pu·​ri·​tan·​i·​cal | \ ËŒpyu̇r-É™-ˈta-ni-kÉ™l How to pronounce puritanical (audio) \

Definition of puritanical

1 : of, relating to, or characterized by a rigid morality
2 : puritan

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Other Words from puritanical

puritanically \ ËŒpyu̇r-​É™-​ˈta-​ni-​k(É™-​)lÄ“ How to pronounce puritanically (audio) \ adverb

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

Both the French Laundry and the nearby Napa Valley vineyards reflect the American tension between a quest for luxury and a puritanical commitment to grinding labor. Mary Beth Albright, chicagotribune.com, "How a world-class chef blossomed in Napa Valley: The French Laundry turns 25," 5 July 2019 One of the most compelling aspects of the third season of The Handmaid's Tale is its gradual expansion of Gilead's power structure beyond its regimented, puritanical facade. Emma Dibdin, Harper's BAZAAR, "The Handmaid's Tale," 1 Aug. 2019 Both the French Laundry and the nearby Napa Valley vineyards reflect the American tension between a quest for luxury and a puritanical commitment to grinding labor. Mary Beth Albright, chicagotribune.com, "How a world-class chef blossomed in Napa Valley: The French Laundry turns 25," 5 July 2019 Both the French Laundry and the nearby Napa Valley vineyards reflect the American tension between a quest for luxury and a puritanical commitment to grinding labor. Washington Post, "How a world-class chef blossomed in Napa Valley: The French Laundry turns 25," 3 July 2019 But he’s already set the tone, set the pace, set the rules of the game. Instead of distancing themselves from Roy Moore’s anger and judgment and puritanical righteous wrongs, his GOP challengers instead determined to out-Roy Roy. John Archibald | [email protected], al.com, "Roy Moore already won," 20 June 2019 The first response, for an American accustomed to more puritanical forms of worship, is bemusement at the Pop Art look of all the neatly severed and articulated stamped metal votives. Adam Gopnik, Town & Country, "My First Visit to the Greek Islands Turned Out to Be a Journey Home," 20 May 2019 The French media were having a ball mocking the puritanical Americans. Thomas J. Baker, WSJ, "What Barr Knows About Firing an FBI Head," 14 Jan. 2019 In 1995, this ecumenicalism brought him in conflict with the puritanical Hindutva movement and ultimately drove him into self-exile—issues that are thoroughly discussed in the catalog of the exhibition. Michael Fitzgerald, WSJ, "‘The Progressive Revolution: Modern Art for a New India’ Review: A Movement Looks Forward," 20 Sep. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'puritanical.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of puritanical

1598, in the meaning defined at sense 2

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More Definitions for puritanical

puritanical

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of puritanical

disapproving : very strict especially concerning morals and religion

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