moralism

noun

mor·​al·​ism ˈmȯr-ə-ˌli-zəm 

ˈmär-

1

a

: the habit or practice of moralizing

b

: a conventional moral attitude or saying

2

: an often exaggerated emphasis on morality (as in politics)

Synonyms

• nice-nellyism
• prudery
• prudishness
• puritanism

Example Sentences

The candidate's campaign was doomed by an incessant moralism that came across as condescension.

Recent Examples on the Web

With the wild theatrics of Hollywood’s hectic thespians and the melodramatic moralism endemic to Hollywood itself, Renoir—without abandoning the effervescent lyricism and elbows-out comedy of his earlier work—alluded to the resentment and hatred that marked France’s wartime collaborationists. —Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 23 July 2022

Where in all of this moralism is American power? —Damon Linker, TheWeek, 9 Dec. 2020

Many evangelical Christians have mistaken moralism for morality. —R. Albert Mohler, WSJ, 26 May 2022

From the first, his history books cultivated a Thucydidean detachment, disguising their fervent moralism in cool prose. —Samuel Moyn, The New Republic, 14 Feb. 2023

The fusion of imagery and moralism is so simple-minded, and so brilliant, that there is a kind of excess electrical charge, which is also true of the most effective, viral memes. —Philip Kennicott, Washington Post, 7 Feb. 2023

Diego Calva, Jean Smart, Li Jun Li and Jovan Adepo also star in this feverish look at Hollywood’s transition from silents to talkies, as depravity was edged out by moralism. —Danielle Directo-meston, The Hollywood Reporter, 25 Jan. 2023

In a 2010 study , Markus Giesler and colleagues extended this idea of consumer moralism. —Carl Engelking, Discover Magazine, 15 July 2016

Eventually, as the over-pressurization of moralism intensifies, the desires of the masses erupt. —Andrew Hartz, WSJ, 7 Aug. 2022

See More

Word History

First Known Use

1674, in the meaning defined at sense 1a