Synonyms

preachify

American

[pree-chuh-fahy] / ˈpri tʃəˌfaɪ /

verb (used without object)

preachified, preachifying

to preach in an obtrusive or tedious way.

preachify British

/ ˈpriːtʃɪˌfaɪ /

verb

informal (intr) to preach or moralize in a tedious manner

"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 Word Forms

preachification noun
preachifying noun

Etymology

Origin of preachify

First recorded in 1765–75; preach + -ify

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

I confess I didn’t think much of him on board, with his preachifying; but dash my top-sail if, with all his pale quiet face he ain’t a jolly fellow in the moment of trouble.

From Project Gutenberg

Joshua had not spoken since Lilac’s entrance, but Mrs Greenways, eyeing him nervously, felt sure he was preparing to “preachify.”

From Project Gutenberg

"I'd rather hear you preachify," she said, "than the preacher himself."

From Project Gutenberg

"I have had my 'nough of religion and preachifying, but of plain human friendliness not, because there is little of it on the ramble."

From Project Gutenberg

As Jack Thompson had said, Mr Ferguson’s “preachifying” no longer seemed out of place; and for myself, I am sure in my heart I most devoutly said Amen to the thanksgiving.

From Project Gutenberg

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023