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.

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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

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Other Word Forms

• antimoralism noun

Etymology

Origin of moralism

First recorded in 1820–30; moral + -ism

Example Sentences

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

From The Wall Street Journal

But it also hamstrung by its earnestness, with a tone of finger-wagging moralism that is the antithesis of fun.

From New York Times

Surrealism was a free-flowing network of exchanges, translations, idealizations and misunderstandings — and on this matter, all too rarely in this age of smug cultural moralism, the curators actually treat us like adults.

From New York Times

It’s conservatives who prefer ideology and moralism to the facts.

From Washington Post

But they just contribute to a moralism that misses the tone of the book.

From New York Times

Related Words

• advice
• exhortation
• homily
• lecture
• lesson
• preaching
• tirade