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Moralizing - Meaning, Definition & English Examples

Moralizing means lecturing others about right and wrong, often in a self-righteous or judgmental way. It involves imposing one’s own moral views on others, sometimes annoyingly.

moralizing

/ˈmɔrəˌlaɪzɪŋ/ /ˈmɒrəlaɪzɪŋ/

Definition:

Preaching or lecturing about morals, often in a self-righteous or tedious way.

Synonyms:

Preachy, sanctimonious, didactic, holier-than-thou

Part of Speech:

Adjective, noun (gerund)

Antonyms:

Nonjudgmental, accepting, tolerant

Common Collocations:

Moralizing tone, moralizing speech, moralizing attitude, moralizing sermon

Derivatives:

Moralize (verb), moralizer (noun), moralized (past tense)

Usage Tips:

Avoid overusing it; it often carries a negative connotation of being overly judgmental.

Common Phrases:

Stop moralizing, moralizing about everything, a moralizing lecture

Etymology:

Derived from "moral," from Latin "moralis," meaning "proper behavior," with the suffix "-ize" indicating action.

Examples:

  • 1. She disliked his moralizing tone during the discussion.
  • 2. The teacher’s moralizing made the students tune out.
  • 3. His constant moralizing about manners annoyed his friends.
  • 4. The book avoids moralizing and presents facts objectively.

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