sermonizes
Delivers pious lectures
Sermonizes means to deliver moral or religious instruction, especially in a preachy, tedious way.
The word usually carries a negative connotation—someone who sermonizes lectures others about right and wrong without invitation: He sermonizes about the evils of technology while scrolling his phone.
The neutral sense of giving an actual sermon is less common.
Gives unsolicited ethical advice
- pontificatesSpeaks in dogmatic manner
- haranguesBombastic critical speeches
- lecturesFormal instructional talks
- scoldsHarshly criticizes aloud
admonishes · chides · reprimands · condescends · preachy · sanctimonious · holier-than-thou · finger-wagging
Delivers religious discourse
- pulpitChurch speaking platform
- homilyReligious discourse on scripture
- congregationAssembled group of worshippers
- exhortsUrges earnestly
minister · pastoral · gospel · scripture · altar · flock · clergy · Sunday
Speaks formally, publicly
- speechifiesTalks pompously at length
- declaimsSpeaks rhetorically aloud
- expoundsExplains at length
- proselytizesActively seeks religious converts
evangelizes · advocates · exhorts · proclaims · rallies · soapbox · impassioned · rhetoric
moralizes
Gives unsolicited ethical advice
- pontificatesSpeaks in dogmatic manner
- haranguesBombastic critical speeches
- lecturesFormal instructional talks
scolds · admonishes · chides · reprimands · condescends · preachy · sanctimonious · holier-than-thou · finger-wagging · pedantic
preaches
Delivers religious discourse
- pulpitChurch speaking platform
- homilyReligious discourse on scripture
- congregationAssembled group of worshippers
exhorts · minister · pastoral · gospel · scripture · altar · flock · clergy · Sunday · moral
orates
Speaks formally, publicly
- speechifiesTalks pompously at length
- declaimsSpeaks rhetorically aloud
- expoundsExplains at length
proselytizes · evangelizes · advocates · exhorts · proclaims · rallies · soapbox · impassioned · rhetoric · zealous
sermonizesrefrains
Recurring verses or abstains
accepts · tolerates · live and let live · looks the other way · pardons