moralistic
Given to lecturing
Moralistic describes speech or behavior that makes judgments about right and wrong, often in a preachy or self-righteous way.
A moralistic lecture tells you how to live.
A moralistic novel pushes ethical lessons.
The word usually carries a negative connotation—someone moralistic is more interested in condemning than understanding: His moralistic tone alienated everyone in the room.
Smugly certain of correctness
- sanctimoniousFeigning moral superiority
- holier-than-thouSmugly moralistic toward others
- preachyExcessively moralizing in tone
- censoriousSeverely critical in judgment
condemning · disapproving · critical · puritanical · pharisaical · smug · superior · hypocritical
Lecturing on morals
- pontificatingSpeaking pompously at length
- didacticIntended to instruct
- pedanticExcessively concerned with minor rules
- lecturingGiving an instructive talk
admonitory · exhortative · proselytizing · evangelical · doctrinaire · zealous · homiletic · hortatory
Having strong moral beliefs
- righteousMorally good, justified
- uprightVertical or morally sound
- virtuousMorally excellent, principled
- honorableHaving high moral standards
decent · scrupulous · conscientious · integrity · values · standards · duty · responsibility
Excessively concerned with propriety
- strait-lacedExcessively proper and strict
- primAffectedly proper and stiff
- properSocially appropriate
- austereSeverely simple and unadorned
ascetic · abstemious · abstinent · repressive · strict · rigid · severe · stern
self-righteous
Smugly certain of correctness
- sanctimoniousFeigning moral superiority
- holier-than-thouSmugly moralistic toward others
- preachyExcessively moralizing in tone
censorious · condemning · disapproving · critical · puritanical · pharisaical · smug · superior · hypocritical · intolerant
sermonizing
Lecturing on morals
- pontificatingSpeaking pompously at length
- didacticIntended to instruct
- pedanticExcessively concerned with minor rules
lecturing · admonitory · exhortative · proselytizing · evangelical · doctrinaire · zealous · homiletic · hortatory · sententious
principled
Having strong moral beliefs
- righteousMorally good, justified
- uprightVertical or morally sound
- virtuousMorally excellent, principled
honorable · decent · scrupulous · conscientious · integrity · values · standards · duty · responsibility · conscience
prudish
Excessively concerned with propriety
- strait-lacedExcessively proper and strict
- primAffectedly proper and stiff
- properSocially appropriate
austere · ascetic · abstemious · abstinent · repressive · strict · rigid · severe · stern · Victorian
- literary termsmetaphor, character analysis, symbolism, prologue, epilogue
- biasedbiased, subjective, slanted, partisan, prejudiced
moralisticnonjudgmental
Not forming harsh opinions
tolerant · accepting · permissive · open-minded · live-and-let-live
moralisticdissolute
Indulgent and immoral
dissipated · licentious · debauched · hedonistic · immoral
moralisticdescriptive
Portraying with specific details
neutral · matter-of-fact · objective · understated · dispassionate
- moralistic toneSelf-righteous manner of speaking