moralize

1 of 2

verb

mor·​al·​ize ˈmȯr-ə-ˌlīz 

ˈmär-

moralized; moralizing

transitive verb

1

: to explain or interpret morally

2

a

: to give a moral quality or direction to

b

: to improve the morals of

intransitive verb

usually disapproving : to express beliefs and opinions about moral behavior

moralizing judgments/statements

moralization

ˌmȯr-ə-lə-ˈzā-shən 

ˌmär-

noun

moralizer

ˈmȯr-ə-ˌlī-zər 

ˈmär-

noun

moralizer

2 of 2

noun

mor·​al·​iz·​er

variants also British moraliser

-zə(r)

plural -s

: one that moralizes

Examples of moralize in a Sentence

Verb

an essay moralizing about the evils of alcohol

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

The states most eager to moralize about fairness are learning that wealth has a tendency to seek fair treatment of its own. —Larry Clifton, Sun Sentinel, 28 Apr. 2026

In a league full of players and coaches who love to moralize, that distinction matters. —Dan Zaksheske Outkick, FOXNews.com, 27 Apr. 2026

Politics moralize and set certain beliefs apart as inviolable, while humor thrives in the gray areas between the sacred and the profane. —Robert Lynch, Chicago Tribune, 3 Apr. 2026

This new understanding came about because individual responsibility proved easier to measure, govern, and moralize. —Time, 19 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for moralize

• advertise
• aggrandize
• alibis
• alkalies
• alkalis
• amortize
• amplifies
• analyse
• analyze
• anywise
• authorize
• butterflies

Kids Definition

moralize

verb

mor·​al·​ize ˈmȯr-ə-ˌlīz 

ˈmär-

moralized; moralizing

1

: to explain in a moral sense : draw a moral from

2

: to make moral or morally better

3

: to make moral comments

moralization

ˌmȯr-ə-lə-ˈzā-shən 

ˌmär-

noun

moralizer

ˈmȯr-ə-ˌlī-zər 

ˈmär-

noun