moralist

noun

mor·​al·​ist ˈmȯr-ə-list 

ˈmär-

1

: one who leads a moral life

2

: a philosopher or writer concerned with moral principles and problems

3

: one concerned with regulating the morals of others

Synonyms of moralist

• puritan

Examples of moralist in a Sentence

a smattering of moralists around the country tried to get the songs banned from the radio

Recent Examples on the Web

Carney is a moralist, a filmmaker of fidelity—and of renunciation, depicting the romantic near-misses and what-ifs that his characters leave behind. —Richard Brody, New Yorker, 29 May 2026

Christian moralists thundered against the sinful pleasures of watching naked female flesh at the Spectacles. —Literary Hub, 15 Apr. 2026

For every cultural good, identity has become fused with the object of interest, turning previously normal people leading unremarkable lives into Steak ’n Shake beef-tallow purists, Harry Potter moralists, or cast-iron-pan-cleaning radicals. —Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 31 Mar. 2026

Of course, morality can still play a role in political thinking, just not the all-encompassing and determinative one that moralists ascribe to it. —Andrew Day, Washington Post, 28 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1586, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Kids Definition

moralist

noun

mor·​al·​ist ˈmȯr-ə-ləst 

ˈmär-

1

: a person who leads a moral life

2

: a person who teaches, studies, or points out morals

3

: a person who is concerned with regulating the morals of others