Meaning
To moralize means to comment on issues of right and wrong, often in a way that seems overly serious, judgmental, or preachy. It can also mean to interpret stories, events, or experiences in terms of moral lessons.
Grammar and Usage
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Part of speech: Verb
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Verb forms: moralize – moralized – moralizing
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Transitive/Intransitive: Both
- Intransitive: "He tends to moralize when giving speeches."
- Transitive: "The author moralizes the tale by emphasizing honesty."
Sentence patterns
- moralize about + topic → "The teacher moralized about responsibility."
- moralize on/upon + topic → "She moralized upon the dangers of greed."
- moralize story/incident → "Writers often moralize their stories."
Common Phrases
- moralize about something
- moralize on/upon something
- moralize a tale
Collocations
- moralize endlessly
- moralize heavily
- tendency to moralize
- moralize a story/parable
Examples
- The politician began to moralize about family values.
- He doesn’t just teach; he tends to moralize, which puts off his students.
- The book moralizes the dangers of envy and greed.
- Rather than moralizing about mistakes, she offered practical advice.
- Parents often moralize to their children about honesty.
- The preacher moralized on the importance of forgiveness.
- Critics said the film moralized too much instead of letting the story speak for itself.
- He tried not to moralize when his friend confessed the mistake.
Synonyms or Related
- preach
- lecture
- sermonize
- pontificate
- advise
Antonym
- ignore
- overlook
- condone
- accept without judgment