moralistic

adjective

mor·​al·​is·​tic ˌmȯr-ə-ˈli-stik 

ˌmär-

1

: characterized by or expressive of a concern with morality

… pounding out moralistic claims about what is wrong with the world …

—Robert Jackall et al.

2

: characterized by or expressive of a narrow moral attitude

moralistically

ˌmȯr-ə-ˈli-sti-k(ə-)lē 

ˌmär-

adverb

Synonyms of moralistic

• moralizing
• sermonic
• didactic

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

Taken together, these triumphal and tragic elements constitute the ingredients for an epic historical narrative that defies all moralistic categories, a story rooted in the coexistence of grandeur and failure, brilliance and blindness, grace and sin. —Literary Hub, 28 Oct. 2025

Initially, bedtime stories tended to be moralistic tales designed to reinforce obedience and proper behavior. —David Wingrave, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025

The heroine of Mansfield Park, Fanny Price, is the most moralistic young person in her household (and the most ignored). —Emily Zarevich, JSTOR Daily, 11 Sep. 2025

What matters is a heavy focus on aesthetic and moralistic perfection. —Olivia Crandall, Vulture, 10 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1845, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for moralistic

• agonistic
• altruistic
• animistic
• aphoristic
• atheistic
• cabalistic
• calvinistic
• chauvinistic
• dualistic
• egoistic
• egotistic
• eucharistic

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