puritanical
gb/pjˌʊɹɪtˈænɪkəl/ us/pjˌʊɹɪtˈænɪkəl/
C1
English
Senses
0 senses
adjective
C1
property
1
overly strict about morals
too strict about what is morally acceptable, especially sex
Usage pattern:
puritanical about [something]
Common mistake:
Do not confuse with “pure”; it usually criticizes strict moral attitudes, not cleanliness or innocence.
Synonyms
prudish (Emphasizes discomfort with sex or nudity.)
|
moralistic (Emphasizes preaching morals and judging others.)
|
straitlaced (Emphasizes strict, conventional behavior.)
Antonyms
permissive (Allowing a wide range of behavior, especially socially or sexually.)
|
liberal (More open-minded and tolerant about personal choices.)
Collocations
puritanical views
|puritanical attitudes
|puritanical morals
|puritanical standards
|puritanical approach
|puritanical culture
|puritanical upbringing
|puritanical laws
|puritanical censorship
|puritanical about sex
Themes
morality
|relationships
|society
|behavior
Examples
- Some critics called the new rules puritanical, especially the ban on public displays of affection.
- He has puritanical views about alcohol and thinks no one should drink at all.
- The film was attacked by a puritanical campaign group for its sex scenes.
Learner examples
- My parents were puritanical about dating.
- She dislikes his puritanical attitude.
adjective
formal
C1
property
2
relating to the Puritans
connected with the Puritans in history
Usage pattern:
puritanical [beliefs/customs/society]
Common mistake:
This meaning is historical; in everyday speech, “puritanical” more often means “too strict about morals.”
Synonyms
Puritan (Directly names the group; may sound more historical than “puritanical.”)
Antonyms
non-Puritan (Not belonging to or associated with Puritan beliefs or culture.)
Collocations
puritanical beliefs
|puritanical doctrine
|puritanical practices
|puritanical society
|puritanical New England
|puritanical tradition
Themes
history
|religion
|culture
Examples
- The novel depicts life in a puritanical New England community.
- Her research focuses on puritanical religious practices in seventeenth-century England.
Learner examples
- They studied puritanical customs in early America.
Grammar
Dictionary form
puritanical
IPA
GB/pjˌʊɹɪtˈænɪkəl/
US/pjˌʊɹɪtˈænɪkəl/
Syllables & stress
pur - it - an - ic - al (5 syllables)
Stress on 3rd syllable (an)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: puritanical
Word family
Core family
Expressions
a puritanical streak
1/ə pjˌʊɹɪtˈænɪkəl stɹˈik/
fixed phrase
tendency toward moral strictness
a strict moral side of someone’s character
Examples
- Even as a comedian, he has a puritanical streak when it comes to drugs.
- There’s a puritanical streak in the public debate about nightlife.
puritanical about [something]
1/pjˌʊɹɪtˈænɪkəl əbˈaʊt sˈʌmθɪŋ/
fixed phrase
strict about one topic
too strict about a particular thing
Examples
- She’s puritanical about swearing and won’t allow it at home.
- The school is surprisingly puritanical about clothing for a modern campus.
puritanical values
1/pjˌʊɹɪtˈænɪkəl vˈæljuz/
fixed phrase
strict moral value system
very strict beliefs about what is moral
Examples
- The show was criticized for promoting puritanical values about sexuality.
- They rejected what they saw as puritanical values and pushed for more openness.