puritanic
Severely strict, morally
Puritanic means excessively strict in matters of morals or religion, emphasizing rigid self-denial and disapproval of pleasure.
The word evokes the historical Puritans but applies broadly to anyone with severe, joyless standards: Her puritanic upbringing left her suspicious of anything fun.
Puritanical is more common.
Rigorously simple, unadorned
- asceticOne who renounces indulgence
- abstemiousPracticing restraint with indulgences
- unadornedLacking decoration or ornament
- bareLacking any covering
minimalist · plain · simple · stark · sober · monastic · restrained · unembellished
Unable to bend
- inflexibleUnable to bend
- uncompromisingRefusing to yield ground
- sternStrict or ship's aft
- stringentSeverely exact and demanding
unyielding · demanding · harsh · severe · draconian · disciplinarian · unbending · exacting
Inclined to criticize others
- self-righteousSmugly certain of correctness
- sanctimoniousFeigning moral superiority
- holier-than-thouSmugly moralistic toward others
- priggishSmugly self-righteous
prudish · preachy · narrow-minded · censorious · disapproving · strait-laced · pharisaical · smug
Deeply religious, sincere
- godlyDeeply religious in character
- reverentFeeling profound respect
- prayerfulGiven to worship
- observantNoticing things readily
churchgoing · righteous · sanctified · scriptural · Calvinist · Protestant · zealous · evangelical
spartan
Rigorously simple, unadorned
- asceticOne who renounces indulgence
- abstemiousPracticing restraint with indulgences
- unadornedLacking decoration or ornament
bare · minimalist · plain · simple · stark · sober · monastic · restrained · unembellished · frugal
rigid
Unable to bend
- inflexibleUnable to bend
- uncompromisingRefusing to yield ground
- sternStrict or ship's aft
stringent · unyielding · demanding · harsh · severe · draconian · disciplinarian · unbending · exacting · authoritarian
judgmental
Inclined to criticize others
- self-righteousSmugly certain of correctness
- sanctimoniousFeigning moral superiority
- holier-than-thouSmugly moralistic toward others
priggish · prudish · preachy · narrow-minded · censorious · disapproving · strait-laced · pharisaical · smug · hypocritical
devout
Deeply religious, sincere
observant · churchgoing · righteous · sanctified · scriptural · Calvinist · Protestant · zealous · evangelical · fundamentalist
puritanicpermissive
Tolerant, lacking strictness
indulgent · lenient · lax · libertine · licentious
puritanichedonistic
Devoted to sensual pursuits
sybaritic · voluptuous · epicurean · pleasure-seeking · sensual
- Puritan valuesStrict Protestant moral standards
- Puritan work ethicBelief that labor signifies virtue
- Puritan ethicBelief in disciplined industry
- puritanical viewsSeverely strict moral attitudes
- Puritan ministerStrict Protestant religious leader