Puritanical
Rigidly prim, austere
Puritanical describes attitudes of extreme moral strictness, especially regarding pleasure and sexuality.
The word derives from the Puritans, Protestant reformers known for austere religious discipline, but now applies broadly to anyone who seems excessively concerned with suppressing enjoyment: puritanical attitudes toward drinking, a puritanical approach to sex education.
The tone is almost always critical—suggesting rigidity rather than virtue.
Rigorous, without flexibility
- austereSeverely simple and unadorned
- self-righteousSmugly certain of correctness
- judgmentalInclined to criticize others
- prudishExcessively concerned with propriety
censorious · disapproving · strait-laced · moralistic · sanctimonious · pious · holier-than-thou · Victorian
Predestination theology adherent
- ProtestantPost-schism Western Christian
- asceticOne who renounces indulgence
- devoutDeeply religious, sincere
- pietySincere religious devotion
godly · sabbatarian · elect · predestination · Plymouth · Cromwell · dissenter · reformation
strict
Rigorous, without flexibility
- austereSeverely simple and unadorned
- self-righteousSmugly certain of correctness
- judgmentalInclined to criticize others
prudish · censorious · disapproving · strait-laced · moralistic · sanctimonious · pious · holier-than-thou · Victorian · priggish
Calvinist
Predestination theology adherent
- ProtestantPost-schism Western Christian
- asceticOne who renounces indulgence
- devoutDeeply religious, sincere
piety · godly · sabbatarian · elect · predestination · Plymouth · Cromwell · dissenter · reformation · congregation
austere
Severely simple and unadorned
ascetic · self-denial · frugal · abstemious · killjoy · joyless · stern · dour · somber · grim
prudish
Excessively concerned with propriety
virginal · celibate · abstinent · inhibited · squeamish · decency · propriety · censorship · bowdlerize · expurgate
Puritanicalhedonistic
Devoted to sensual pursuits
sybaritic · pleasure-seeking · voluptuous · epicurean · sensual
Puritanicalopen-minded
Receptive to different ideas
tolerant · broad-minded · liberal · nonjudgmental · permissive
- puritanical viewsSeverely strict moral attitudes