moralize

American  

[mawr-uh-lahyz, mor-] / ˈmɔr əˌlaɪz, ˈmɒr- /

especially British, moralise

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 British  

/ 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

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

Etymology

Origin of moralize

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.

From The Wall Street Journal

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.”

From 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.

From Salon

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

From Salon

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

From Los Angeles Times