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.
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.