as in moralizing
marked by or given to preaching moral values
the poet's works became increasingly didactic after his religious conversion
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of didactic
Political without being didactic, the film taps into contemporary anxieties around immigration, power and resistance, delivering tension, spectacle and emotional weight in equal measure.
—
Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 5 Jan. 2026
Marlin notes that children avoid more didactic books and prefer absorbing narratives.
—Literary Hub, 16 Dec. 2025
Without being didactic, authentically artistic forms of cinema possess the capacity to educate the audience’s gaze.
—Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 15 Nov. 2025
Open and humorous in person, he was described by critics – and even some supporters – as stubborn, didactic and self-righteous.
—Nicole West Bassoff, The Conversation, 14 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for didactic
Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 5 Jan. 2026
Marlin notes that children avoid more didactic books and prefer absorbing narratives.
—Literary Hub, 16 Dec. 2025
Without being didactic, authentically artistic forms of cinema possess the capacity to educate the audience’s gaze.
—Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 15 Nov. 2025
Open and humorous in person, he was described by critics – and even some supporters – as stubborn, didactic and self-righteous.
—Nicole West Bassoff, The Conversation, 14 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for didactic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for didactic
Adjective
-
The United States went to war in 2001 and 2003 with a very moralistic, very crusading view of war, a very black-and-white view that there were good guys and bad guys, and America would wield the swift sword of justice.—
Philip Elliott,
Time,
10 Jan. 2026
-
To rebuild a consensus, politicians must thus appeal to these swing voters by eschewing moralistic and globalist rhetoric.—
Foreign Affairs,
Foreign Affairs,
16 Dec. 2025
Adjective
-
Regardless of these fundamental differences, the story of the Marquis de Morès should be read today as an all too instructive parable.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
17 Feb. 2026
-
De la Rosa’s trajectory is instructive.—
Callum McLennan,
Variety,
14 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
In calmer times, a leader expounding from such heights risks sounding preachy and self-righteous.—
Gal Beckerman,
The Atlantic,
27 Jan. 2026
-
And the story is sweet as well, with a pro-environment message that isn’t too preachy.—
Wilson Chapman,
IndieWire,
16 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The preacher’s experience, insights and emotions all come into play when composing the homiletic text.—
Joanne M. Pierce,
The Conversation,
6 July 2023
-
There’s a word for this style of narrative preaching—homiletic.—
Jo Livingstone,
The New Republic,
6 Apr. 2021
Cite this Entry
“Didactic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/didactic. Accessed 25 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
