puritanical
Severely sexually repressed
Puritanical describes excessive strictness in matters of morality or religion, especially regarding pleasure and sex.
The word evokes the historical Puritans but applies to anyone who seems to disapprove of enjoyment: Her puritanical parents wouldn't let her go to dances.
The tone is almost always critical—puritanical suggests not admirable self-discipline but joyless rigidity imposed on oneself or others.
Smugly certain of correctness
- sanctimoniousFeigning moral superiority
- holier-than-thouSmugly moralistic toward others
- preachyExcessively moralizing in tone
- virtuousMorally excellent, principled
prudish · priggish · straitlaced · pious · pharisaical · goody-goody · morality · propriety
Severely critical in judgment
- disapprovingExpressing unfavorable opinion
- condemningExpressing severe disapproval
- criticalExpressing disapproval or importance
- reproachfulShowing blame or disappointment
fault-finding · harsh · unforgiving · denunciatory · castigating · scornful · contemptuous · intolerant
Voluntary forgoing of indulgences
- self-denialRestraining one's own desires
- temperanceHabitual moderation in behavior
- frugalityEconomical resource management
- austerityEnforced economic stringency
restraint · sobriety · fasting · renunciation · celibacy · chastity · spartan · plain
Unable to bend
- inflexibleUnable to bend
- uncompromisingRefusing to yield ground
- sternStrict or ship's aft
- severeExtremely harsh or strict
stringent · draconian · authoritarian · unyielding · demanding · disciplinarian · unbending · rigorous
Predestination theology adherent
- ProtestantPost-schism Western Christian
- ReformationReligious movement splitting Christianity
- PlymouthEnglish port city
- PilgrimPlymouth Colony founder
New England · Cromwell · dissenter · nonconformist · Roundhead · Massachusetts · covenant · predestination
self-righteous
Smugly certain of correctness
- sanctimoniousFeigning moral superiority
- holier-than-thouSmugly moralistic toward others
- preachyExcessively moralizing in tone
virtuous · prudish · priggish · straitlaced · pious · pharisaical · goody-goody · morality · propriety · decency
censorious
Severely critical in judgment
- disapprovingExpressing unfavorable opinion
- condemningExpressing severe disapproval
- criticalExpressing disapproval or importance
reproachful · fault-finding · harsh · unforgiving · denunciatory · castigating · scornful · contemptuous · intolerant · narrow-minded
abstinence
Voluntary forgoing of indulgences
- self-denialRestraining one's own desires
- temperanceHabitual moderation in behavior
- frugalityEconomical resource management
austerity · restraint · sobriety · fasting · renunciation · celibacy · chastity · spartan · plain · simple
rigid
Unable to bend
- inflexibleUnable to bend
- uncompromisingRefusing to yield ground
- sternStrict or ship's aft
severe · stringent · draconian · authoritarian · unyielding · demanding · disciplinarian · unbending · rigorous · firm
Calvinist
Predestination theology adherent
- ProtestantPost-schism Western Christian
- ReformationReligious movement splitting Christianity
- PlymouthEnglish port city
Pilgrim · New England · Cromwell · dissenter · nonconformist · Roundhead · Massachusetts · covenant · predestination · Mayflower
- strictsevere, stern, harsh, rigid, firm
- restrainedrestrained, reserved, subdued, controlled, muted
puritanicalhedonistic
Devoted to sensual pursuits
sybaritic · epicurean · indulgent · pleasure-seeking · sensual
puritanicalbroad-minded
Receptive to differing views
open-minded · tolerant · nonjudgmental · accepting · liberated
- puritanical viewsSeverely strict moral attitudes