moralize

[ mawr-uh-lahyz, mor- ]

See synonyms for: moralize moralizing on Thesaurus.com

verb (used without object),mor·al·ized, mor·al·iz·ing.

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),mor·al·ized, mor·al·iz·ing.

to explain in a moral sense, or draw a moral from.
to improve the morals of.

Origin of moralize

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

Also especially British, mor·al·ise .

Other words from moralize

mor·al·i·za·tion, noun
mor·al·iz·er, noun
mor·al·iz·ing·ly, adverb
o·ver·mor·al·ize, verb, o·ver·mor·al·ized, o·ver·mor·al·iz·ing.
o·ver·mor·al·iz·ing·ly, adverb
un·mor·al·iz·ing, adjective

Words Nearby moralize

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use moralize in a sentence

He contends that moralizing gods spurred societal complexity because belief in moralizing gods leads to success in intergroup competition.
The Worth of an Angry God - Issue 109: Excavation | Brian Gallagher | December 15, 2021 | Nautilus
Whitehouse and his colleagues write that social complexity precedes the advent of “moralizing gods” and hinges on an analysis of the Seshat database.
The Worth of an Angry God - Issue 109: Excavation | Brian Gallagher | December 15, 2021 | Nautilus
However one goes about it, urging others to change their desires risks accusations of moralizing.
Contemplating sex and other consequences of modern feminism | Megan Marz | October 29, 2021 | Washington Post
No big surprise In 2nd, Mr. moralize But who should take a curtain call?
The Song of Newt Gingrich: From Longshot To Hotshot To No Shot | | April 26, 2012 | THE DAILY BEAST
Then the medical man smiled gently, but I knew he would want to moralize on the story and I let fly again.
Step Lively! | George Niblo

He could now moralize on the vanity of the world, the equality of mankind, and the happiness of a private station.
Memoirs of My Life and Writings | Edward Gibbon
It is impossible to moralize conveniently when one is being hurried by a person at one's elbow.
The Amazing Marriage, Complete | George Meredith
As to the first, it was strange enough to moralize upon the after-fortunes of some of our contemporaries.
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Volume 58, Number 358, August 1845 | Various
Then Homer does not moralize by the way, he does not usually approve or condemn; he simply states the deed and its consequences.
Homer's Odyssey | Denton J. Snider

British Dictionary definitions for moralize

moralize

moralise

/ (ˈmɒrəˌlaɪz) /

verb

(intr) to make moral pronouncements
(tr) to interpret or explain in a moral sense

(tr) to improve the morals of

Derived forms of moralize

moralization or moralisation, noun
moralizer or moraliser, noun

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

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