moralize

verb

mor·​al·​ize ˈmȯr-ə-ˌlīz How to pronounce moralize (audio)
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

: to make moral reflections
moralization noun
moralizer noun

Examples of moralize in a Sentence

an essay moralizing about the evils of alcohol
Recent Examples on the Web But Ireland retains its faith in the power of certain forms of moralizing censorship to manage or disguise political failures: The new hate-speech laws look like a desperate attempt to preempt debate about Ireland’s demographic transformation. Daniel Foster, National Review, 30 Nov. 2023 And in its rule-making, the EU should simplify and streamline, rather than moralize and nitpick. Peter Vanham, Fortune Europe, 12 Dec. 2023 The repeal of those old laws followed so swiftly by the imposition of other ones regulating speech suggests Ireland retains its faith in the power of moralizing censorship to manage or disguise political failures. The Editors, National Review, 29 Nov. 2023 But Coppola, never one to fall back on easy, moralizing judgments — nor to disentangle sadness from joy, its natural companion — doesn’t deny or condemn that mirage’s seductive power. Justin Chang, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2023 But to liberate parents from shame like this is every bit as moralizing an act as scolding them would be. Merve Emre, The New Yorker, 18 Sep. 2023 Leichter doesn’t moralize about her craft, but her book ventures a compelling case for it: for all of us who lack superpowers, storytelling may be the surest way to grasp the elastic dimensions of life. Clare Sestanovich, The New Yorker, 21 Aug. 2023 Salacious headlines moralized the tragedy for the masses but also hinted at other hidden social concerns percolating in Hollywood. Nathan Smith, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 July 2023 There will be calls to moralize over people’s imagination. WIRED, 23 June 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'moralize.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of moralize was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near moralize

Cite this Entry

“Moralize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/moralize. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

moralize

verb
mor·​al·​ize ˈmȯr-ə-ˌlīz How to pronounce moralize (audio)
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 noun
moralizer noun

More from Merriam-Webster on moralize

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