moralizing
|mo-ral-iz-ing|
🇺🇸
/ˈmɔr.ə.laɪz/
🇬🇧
/ˈmɒr.ə.laɪz/
(moralize)
frame or preach in moral terms
Etymology
'moralize' originates from French, specifically the word 'moraliser', where the element 'moral-' meant 'relating to manners or morals' and the suffix '-ize' (via Latin/Greek) meant 'to make or to render'.
'moralize' changed from French 'moraliser' and medieval Latin 'moralisare' and eventually entered modern English as 'moralize'/'moralise' through Middle English and early modern borrowings.
Initially, it meant 'to make moral' or 'to give a moral character to something'; over time it also came to mean 'to lecture or comment on morality' and gained the connotation of being preachy or sanctimonious.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the act or habit of moralizing; moral commentary or lecturing (often disapproved of). (This is the noun/gerund form of 'moralize'.)
His constant moralizing at meetings annoyed his colleagues.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Verb 1
to comment on or judge behavior in terms of morality, often in a condescending or preachy way.
She kept moralizing about their choices instead of listening.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Verb 2
to interpret or present (a story, action, or event) as conveying a moral lesson; to draw a moral from something.
The editor accused the author of moralizing the historical episode.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Adjective 1
expressing moral judgments; having a preachy or didactic tone.
He adopted a moralizing tone in his speech.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/11/01 02:33