sermonization
|ser-mon-i-za-tion|
🇺🇸
/ˌsɝmənaɪˈzeɪʃən/
🇬🇧
/ˌsɜːmənaɪˈzeɪʃən/
act of preaching or moralizing
Etymology
'sermonization' originates from English, specifically formed from the verb 'sermonize' plus the noun-forming suffix '-ation'; 'sermon' itself comes from Latin 'sermo' meaning 'discourse', while the suffix '-ize' (via Greek/Latin) meant 'to make' and '-ation' (from Latin) indicates an action or process.
'sermonization' developed from Middle English 'sermon' (from Old French/Latin 'sermo') → the verb 'sermonize' (early modern English) → the noun 'sermonization' by adding '-ation' to denote the action or process.
Initially 'sermon' meant 'a discourse' (from Latin 'sermo'), and over time the derived verb and noun came to denote specifically the act of delivering a moral or religious lecture; 'sermonization' now denotes that act or the tendency to moralize.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the act or process of delivering a sermon or of moralizing; preaching.
The candidate's constant sermonization on personal virtue irritated many listeners.
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Noun 2
a sermon-like discourse or lecture, especially one that is didactic or moralizing.
Her long sermonization about healthy eating took up most of the staff meeting.
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Noun 3
the tendency or habit of moralizing or giving unsolicited moral advice (often used critically).
His sermonization about other people's choices made social events awkward.
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Last updated: 2025/11/01 02:21