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moralism

American  
[mawr-uh-liz-uhm, mor-] / ˈmɔr əˌlɪz əm, ˈmɒr- /

noun

  1. the habit of moralizing.

  2. a moral maxim.

  3. emphasis, especially undue emphasis, on morality.

  4. the practice of morality, as distinct from religion.


moralism British  
/ ˈmɒrəˌlɪzəm /

noun

  1. the habit or practice of moralizing

  2. a moral saying

  3. the practice of moral principles without reference to religion

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms


Etymology

Origin of moralism

First recorded in 1820–30; moral + -ism


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

Though the outcomes encoded here are colored by midcentury manners, they are surprisingly daring and averse to sedate moralism.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 14, 2025

Born in Virginia and educated in history and political science at Johns Hopkins University, Wilson became a respected intellectual in his fields with an interest in public service and a profound sense of moralism.

From Textbooks ● Jul. 28, 2021

“She wanted to go beneath moralism to something deeper, to sacrificial love,” said Munroe, now 73 and retired.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 5, 2020

In 1905, George Bernard Shaw, the playwright, referred to censorship-happy moralism as “Comstockery” in a letter to The New York Times.

From New York Times ● Sep. 20, 2019

This moralism was the opposite pole to the conceptions of the Asia Minor school, the Augustinian theology, and the whole mystical conception of Christianity.

From A Source Book for Ancient Church History by Joseph Cullen Ayer

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