moralizing

Noun
US[maw-ruh-lahy-zing]/ˈmɔrəˌlaɪzɪŋ/4 syllables

Open English WordNet

Noun (1)

  1. indulgence in moral pronouncements; the exposition (often superficially) of a particular moral code“his constant moralizing drove me mad”Synonyms: moralizationmoralisationType of philosophizingKinds preachification
Word of the day · Sep 28About this word
onerousadjective

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Webster's Dictionary (1913)

“moralizing” is listed under Moralize.

Mor′al·ize (mŏr′al-īz), transitive verb [past tense & past participle Moralized (mŏr′al-īzd); present participle & verbal noun Moralizing (mŏr′al-ī-zĭng).]

Origin: Cf. F. moraliser.

1. To apply to a moral purpose; to explain in a moral sense; to draw a moral from.

This fable is moralized in a common proverb.— Sir Roger L'Estrange
Did he not moralize this spectacle?— William Shakespeare

2. To furnish with moral lessons, teachings, or examples; to lend a moral to.

While chastening thoughts of sweetest use, bestowed By Wisdom, moralize his pensive road.— William Wordsworth

3. To render moral; to correct the morals of.

It had a large share in moralizing the poor white people of the country.— David Ramsay

4. To give a moral quality to; to affect the moral quality of, either for better or worse.

Good and bad stars moralize not our actions.— Sir Thomas Browne

Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913), from GCIDE 0.54

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