moralize

especially British, mor·al·ise

[mawr-uh-lahyz, mor-]

verb (used without object)

moralized, moralizing 

1. to reflect on or express opinions about something in terms of right and wrong, especially in a self-righteous or tiresome way.

verb (used with object)

moralized, moralizing 

1. to explain in a moral sense, or draw a moral from.

2. to improve the morals of.

moralize

/ ˈmɒrəˌlaɪz /

verb

1. (intr) to make moral pronouncements

2. (tr) to interpret or explain in a moral sense

3. (tr) to improve the morals of

Other Word Forms

• moralizer noun
• moralization noun
• moralizingly adverb
• overmoralize verb
• overmoralizingly adverb
• unmoralizing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of moralize¹

1350–1400; Middle English moralisen < Medieval Latin mōrālizāre. See moral, -ize

Example Sentences

Subsequent moralizing about nuclear weapons, often by the scientists developing them, pales before Roosevelt’s willingness to act on his gut instinct.

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Since long-term weight loss is usually not achievable, “moralizing food can cause hyper-awareness about food choices, and foster beliefs that certain foods should be avoided because they will cause weight gain or poor health.”

Read more on Salon

It’s about eating more and in a culture that’s long moralized thinness and praised restriction, that’s its own kind of rebellion.

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“Adolescence” refuses to moralize, but in Jamie, the series finds a cherubic picture of innocence corrupted that can be applied to youth everywhere.

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“The Expert of Subtle Revisions” isn’t a political book, per se, nor is it moralizing.

Read more on Los Angeles Times