moralize

[ mawr-uh-lahyz, mor- ]
See synonyms for: moralizemoralizing on Thesaurus.com

verb (used without object),mor·al·ized, mor·al·iz·ing.
  1. 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.
  1. to explain in a moral sense, or draw a moral from.

  2. to improve the morals of.

Origin of moralize

1
1350–1400; Middle English moralisen<Medieval Latin mōrālizāre.See moral, -ize
  • Also especially British, mor·al·ise .

Other words from moralize

  • mor·al·i·za·tion, noun
  • mor·al·iz·er, noun
  • mor·al·iz·ing·ly, adverb
  • o·ver·mor·al·ize, verb, o·ver·mor·al·ized, o·ver·mor·al·iz·ing.
  • o·ver·mor·al·iz·ing·ly, adverb
  • un·mor·al·iz·ing, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use moralize in a sentence

  • The moralization of the Gods will follow as a matter of course.

    The Necessity of Atheism | Dr. D.M. Brooks
  • It is a fanciful moralization of the game, abounding with quaint old legends and stories.

  • It is also true that the moralization of character is the more complete as the determined nature of impulses is the more evident.

  • Now it is the first business of instruction to impart such ideas and standards; but no less is this a work of moralization.

    The Teacher | George Herbert Palmer
  • Moralization consists in just this process—the taking upon one's self of a bundle of good life principles.

British Dictionary definitions for moralize

moralize

moralise

/ (ˈmɒrəˌlaɪz) /


verb
  1. (intr) to make moral pronouncements

  2. (tr) to interpret or explain in a moral sense

  1. (tr) to improve the morals of

Derived forms of moralize

  • moralization or moralisation, noun
  • moralizer 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