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.

Words nearby moralize

morale, moralism, moralist, morality, morality play, moralize, morally, morandi, morar, morass, moratorium

Also especially British, mor·al·ise.

Origin of moralize

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

OTHER WORDS FROM moralize

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 forms of moralize

moralization 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