moralize

[ mawr-uh-lahyz, mor- ]

/ ˈmɔr əˌlaɪz, ˈmɒr- /

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.

Nearby words

Also especially British, mor·al·ise.

Origin of moralize

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

Related forms

mor·al·i·za·tion, nounmor·al·iz·er, nounmor·al·iz·ing·ly, adverbo·ver·mor·al·ize, verb, o·ver·mor·al·ized, o·ver·mor·al·iz·ing.

o·ver·mor·al·iz·ing·ly, adverbun·mor·al·iz·ing, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for moralizer

The moralizer was touched by a grenadier with the butt end of his musket, so that the "spirit fell into the ditch."
Memoirs of the Jacobites of 1715 and 1745.|Mrs. Thomson
Brooke laughed softly, as he watched the water run down the moralizer's nose.
A Damaged Reputation|Harold Bindloss
If the moralizer knew just when to stop moralizing, how much longer the flavor of his philosophy would endure.
Rosemary and Rue|Amber
A moralizer might find abundant themes for his speculative and impracticable wisdom in a garret.
Twice Told Tales|Nathaniel Hawthorne

"And with too good reason, sir," said Linton, assuming the look and air of a moralizer.
Roland Cashel|Charles James Lever

British Dictionary definitions for moralizer

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 Formsmoralization or moralisation, nounmoralizer 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

Word Origin and History for moralizer

moralize

c.1400, "expound or interpret spiritual or moral significance," from Old French moraliser and directly from Late Latin moralizare, from moralis (see moral (adj.)). Related: Moralized; moralizing.