preach

[ preech ]

/ pritʃ /

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See synonyms for: preach / preached / preaching on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object)

to proclaim or make known by sermon (the gospel, good tidings, etc.).

to deliver (a sermon).

to advocate or inculcate (religious or moral truth, right conduct, etc.) in speech or writing.

verb (used without object)

to deliver a sermon.

to give earnest advice, as on religious or moral subjects or the like.

to give earnest advice in an obtrusive or tedious way.

OTHER WORDS FOR preach

5 advocate, profess, pronounce, expound.

See synonyms for preach on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Idioms about preach

preach to the choir. See entry at preach to the choir.

Origin of preach

1175–1225; Middle English prechen<Old French pre(ë)chier<Late Latin praedicāre to preach (Latin: to assert publicly, proclaim). See predicate

OTHER WORDS FROM preach

out·preach, verb (used with object)un·preached, adjective

Words nearby preach

pray tell, prazosin, PRB, PRC, pre-, preach, preacher, preacher curl, preachify, preaching, preachment

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

How to use preach in a sentence

While analytics will preach that you must shoot the three and post-up moves are virtually extinct from today’s game, the Lakers have gotten back to the finals doing the exact opposite.
The NBA Finals Burst the Analytics Bubble|Joshua Eferighe|September 29, 2020|Ozy
So if I’m going to preach that, I better be practicing it every day.
Adam Grant’s Philosophy of Giving|Joshua Eferighe|September 25, 2020|Ozy
The fact that diversity execs aren’t just preaching to the converted internally now is evidence of this.
‘It’s all been plan, plan, plan mode:’ Agencies have big ideas for greater diversity, but more action is needed|Seb Joseph|September 15, 2020|Digiday
Both issues are of acute concern for a president who preaches the need for self-sufficiency.
Why Is China Cracking Down on Food Waste?|Daniel Malloy|September 3, 2020|Ozy

At Coffee Creek, his evangelical church outside Oklahoma City, he had preached on racial justice for the past three weeks.
Evangelicals are looking for answers online. They’re finding QAnon instead.|Abby Ohlheiser|August 26, 2020|MIT Technology Review
At Christianity Today, Peter Chin claims Christians should preach peace instead of bogging down in the particulars of race.
No Gods, No Cops, No Masters|James Poulos|January 1, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Priests often preach support for the regime to their congregations, many of whom loudly dissent.
In One Corner of Syria, Christmas Spirit Somehow Manages to Survive|Peter Schwartzstein|December 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In letters to Theo, Vincent would preach to younger brother the virtues of life.
Decoding Vincent Van Gogh’s Tempestuous, Fragile Mind|Nick Mafi|December 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Sex and the City fans were right behind her, ready to preach.
Confessions of a Rom-Com Writer: Liz Tuccillo Talks ‘Sex and the City,’ ‘Take Care,’ and More|Kevin Fallon|December 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST
We should partner with them to get the message across, have them at the table, and listen rather than preach.
The New Face of HIV Is Gay & Young|Adebisi Alimi|December 1, 2014|DAILY BEAST
When I am an old maid I am going to mount the platform and preach the training of the voice in childhood.
Ancestors|Gertrude Atherton
But it is emulating Mrs. Partington and her mop to attempt to preach down a (p. 206) world.
Tobacco; Its History, Varieties, Culture, Manufacture and Commerce|E. R. Billings.
"I don't allow a parson's wife to preach to me about my duty, or to interfere wi' my family matters," said Rushmere, dryly.
The World Before Them|Susanna Moodie
Many of us think it would be well if we could find a reliable man who could work and who could preach during the hours of rest.
Skipper Worse|Alexander Lange Kielland
Arise and go to Ninive, the great city, and preach in it: For the wickedness thereof is come up before me.
The Bible, Douay-Rheims Version|Various

British Dictionary definitions for preach

preach

/ (priːtʃ) /

verb

to make known (religious truth) or give religious or moral instruction or exhortation in (sermons)

to advocate (a virtue, action, etc), esp in a moralizing way

Derived forms of preach

preachable, adjective

Word Origin for preach

C13: from Old French prechier, from Church Latin praedicāre, from Latin: to proclaim in public; see predicate

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

Other Idioms and Phrases with preach

preach

In addition to the idiom beginning with preach

preach to the converted

also see:

practice what you preach

preach

OTHER WORDS FOR preach

Idioms about preach

Origin of preach

OTHER WORDS FROM preach

Words nearby preach

Words related to preach

How to use preach in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for preach

Derived forms of preach

Word Origin for preach

Other Idioms and Phrases with preach