PURITANICAL Synonyms: 43 Similar and Opposite Words

puritanical

adjective

ˌpyu̇r-ə-ˈta-ni-kəl

Definition of puritanical

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

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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 There’s more than a tinge of folk horror to this lingering mystery, which brings to mind the 1973 genre landmark The Wicker Man, in which a puritanical police officer travels to a remote island community that’s reverted to old pagan ways. — Keith Phipps, Vulture, 15 June 2026 There was something puritanical and stunted in all of this critical handwringing. — Mark Rozzo, Vanity Fair, 12 June 2026 When the original writer walked off, Spiegel connected Lean with playwright Robert Bolt, an important collaborator who, like the director, was the product of a puritanical childhood, during which he was considered the dunce of the family. — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 27 May 2026 Saudi Arabia’s founder had just taken control of Mecca with the help of a fiercely puritanical religious militia. — Iqbal Akhtar, The Conversation, 25 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for puritanical

Recent Examples of Synonyms for puritanical

Adjective

In St Leonard’s a good choice is St Benedict’s BnB, a quirky guesthouse filled with Victorian memorabilia.

— Joanne Shurvell, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026
Begonias, once adored during the Victorian Era, are experiencing a resurgence in popularity.

— Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 June 2026

Definition of Victorian

Adjective

But rather than interrogate this evil premise, the movie instead feels quite prudish.

— Bethy Squires, Vulture, 7 Aug. 2026
Cross-dressing was prohibited, as were speeches that mocked or questioned the party’s prudish, pro-family, heteronormative views on gender and sexuality; traditional German culture was to be celebrated, not mocked.

— Tim Brinkhof, JSTOR Daily, 1 Apr. 2026

Definition of prudish

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puritan

puritanical

puritanism

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“Puritanical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/puritanical. Accessed 6 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of puritanical

adjective

Example Sentences

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