puritanical

[pyoo r-i-tan-i-kuh l] /ˌpyʊər ɪˈtæn ɪ kəl/

adjective

very strict in moral or religious matters, often excessively so; rigidly austere.

(sometimes initial capital letter) of, pertaining to, or characteristic of Puritans or Puritanism.

Also, puritanic.

Origin

1600-10; Puritan + -ical

Related forms

puritanically, adverb

puritanicalness, noun

unpuritanic, adjective

unpuritanical, adjective

unpuritanically, adverb

Examples from the web for puritanical

The new book addresses at length the game's outlaw cachet, as well as its stink in some of our more puritanical noses.
In our puritanical culture, you're supposed to suffer for your fun.
It's shamelessly permissive or tenaciously puritanical.
Some are confined simply because their frightened puritanical families consider them too unruly.
His posture on the surface is that of a puritanical moralist excoriating contemporary society for its materialism and vanity.
Expecting the world to adopt ascetic puritanical conservation is simply unrealistic.
We want to call the kidney beans on our lunch platter puritanical: no syrup, minimal sugar, only hints of spice.
There was nothing puritanical, however, in his way of living.

British Dictionary definitions for puritanical

/ˌpjʊərɪˈtænɪkəl/

adjective

generally (derogatory) strict in moral or religious outlook, esp in shunning sensual pleasures

(sometimes capital) of or relating to a puritan or the Puritans

Derived Forms

puritanically, adverb
puritanicalness, noun

Word Origin and History for puritanical

adj.

c.1600, from Puritan + -ical. Chiefly in disparaging use. Related: Puritanically.