moralize
Deliver ethical judgments
Moralize means to reflect on or express opinions about right and wrong conduct, often in a way that comes across as preachy or self-righteous.
Someone who moralizes lectures others about proper behavior or draws ethical lessons from situations: He couldn't resist moralizing about the dangers of drinking.
The word typically carries a negative connotation, suggesting the speaker is being tiresome or sanctimonious rather than genuinely helpful.
Feigning moral superiority
- self-righteousSmugly certain of correctness
- holier-than-thouSmugly moralistic toward others
- preachyExcessively moralizing in tone
- censoriousSeverely critical in judgment
disapproving · condescending · smug · patronizing · pontificating · fault-finding · hypocritical · puritanical
Clergy's worship address
- homilyReligious discourse on scripture
- exhortationUrgent persuasive appeal
- admonitionMild verbal correction
- harangueAggressive lengthy scolding
diatribe · rebuke · reprimand · chastise · upbraid · castigate · reproach · scold
Symbolic tale with deeper meaning
- parableInstructive allegorical narrative
- fableMoral tale with animals
- symbolismRepresenting concepts through images
- meaningWhat something signifies
significance · subtext · implication · exegesis · hermeneutics · message · lesson · theme
Moral goodness or merit
- principlesFoundational moral beliefs
- conscienceInternal moral sense
- righteousnessMoral correctness or virtue
- dutyRequired moral task
honesty · justice · fairness · right · wrong · values · ought · should
Observing one's own mind
- contemplateConsider something thoroughly
- ponderThink deeply about
- soul-searchingProbing one's innermost feelings
- self-examinationScrutiny of one's thoughts
conscience · ruminate · meditate · deliberate · consider · weigh · evaluate · self-questioning
Serving to teach
- edifyingIntellectually or morally uplifting
- pedagogicalRelating to teaching methods
- cautionaryServing as warning
- prescriptiveDictating correct usage
advisory · guiding · teaching · lessons · fables · parables · allegory · exemplary
sanctimonious
Feigning moral superiority
- self-righteousSmugly certain of correctness
- holier-than-thouSmugly moralistic toward others
- preachyExcessively moralizing in tone
censorious · disapproving · condescending · smug · patronizing · pontificating · fault-finding · hypocritical · puritanical · narrow-minded
sermon
Clergy's worship address
- homilyReligious discourse on scripture
- exhortationUrgent persuasive appeal
- admonitionMild verbal correction
harangue · diatribe · rebuke · reprimand · chastise · upbraid · castigate · reproach · scold · pontificate
allegory
Symbolic tale with deeper meaning
- parableInstructive allegorical narrative
- fableMoral tale with animals
- symbolismRepresenting concepts through images
meaning · significance · subtext · implication · exegesis · hermeneutics · message · lesson · theme · underlying
virtue
Moral goodness or merit
- principlesFoundational moral beliefs
- conscienceInternal moral sense
- righteousnessMoral correctness or virtue
duty · honesty · justice · fairness · right · wrong · values · ought · should · propriety
introspection
Observing one's own mind
- contemplateConsider something thoroughly
- ponderThink deeply about
- soul-searchingProbing one's innermost feelings
self-examination · conscience · ruminate · meditate · deliberate · consider · weigh · evaluate · self-questioning · examine
instructive
Serving to teach
- edifyingIntellectually or morally uplifting
- pedagogicalRelating to teaching methods
- cautionaryServing as warning
prescriptive · advisory · guiding · teaching · lessons · fables · parables · allegory · exemplary · improving
- disapprovaldisapproval, scowl, disapprove, disapproves, frown
- discouraging actionsdeter, dissuade, daunt, dishearten, dispirit
- encourageencourage, urge, cheer on, exhort, motivate
moralizelisten
Perceive sound attentively
hear out · receive · pay attention · absorb · attend
moralizeaccept
Consent to receive
tolerate · live and let live · forbear · overlook · turn a blind eye
- Victorian moralityRigid 1800s social standards
- morality taleStory conveying ethical instruction
- morality playsDidactic medieval dramas
- Christian moralityMoral system from Christ's teachings
- sexual moralityStandards for intimate conduct
- morality policeEthics enforcement authority
morality, immorality, moralizing, demoralize, demoralized, demoralizing, moralist, moralism, demoralization