moralistic

adjective

mor·​al·​is·​tic ˌmȯr-ə-ˈli-stik 

ˌmär-

1

: characterized by or expressive of a concern with morality

2

: characterized by or expressive of a narrow moral attitude

moralistically

ˌmȯr-ə-ˈli-sti-k(ə-)lē 

ˌmär-

adverb

Synonyms

• didactic
• homiletic
• homiletical
• moralizing
• preachy
• sententious
• sermonic

Examples of moralistic in a Sentence

While a moralistic speech won't convince kids not to try drugs, a story about people affected by drugs might.

parental opinion was divided on the school's moralistic curriculum

Recent Examples on the Web

But human folly, served without moralistic garnish, stays funny forever. —Mark Gimein, theweek, 14 May 2024

But Daniels’ performance of the sage and moralistic Finch was superb all on its own, earning the actor a Tony nomination in 2019. —Jp Mangalindan, Peoplemag, 8 May 2024

And the language in the official recall petition strikes a moralistic tone. —Hailey Branson-Potts, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2024

Blowups at literary journals are not the most pressing news of the day, but the incident at Guernica reveals the extent to which elite American literary outlets may now be beholden to the narrowest polemical and moralistic approaches to literature. —Phil Klay, The Atlantic, 12 Mar. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1845, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

moralistic

adjective

mor·​al·​is·​tic ˌmȯr-ə-ˈlis-tik 

ˌmär-

1

: teaching or pointing out morals

a moralistic story

2

: having or expressing a conservative moral attitude

a moralistic attitude toward the problems of youth