moralistic

adjective

mor·​al·​is·​tic ˌmȯr-ə-ˈli-stik How to pronounce moralistic (audio)
ˌmär-
Synonyms of moralisticnext
1
: characterized by or expressive of a concern with morality
2
: characterized by or expressive of a narrow moral attitude
moralistically
ˌmȯr-ə-ˈli-sti-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce moralistic (audio)
ˌmär-
adverb

Synonyms

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Examples of moralistic in a Sentence

While a moralistic speech won't convince kids not to try drugs, a story about people affected by drugs might. parental opinion was divided on the school's moralistic curriculum
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The story is predictably moralistic and, frankly, more worried about conforming to contemporary mores than accurately representing what was going on in Cuba in the 1950s, dramatically speaking anyway. — Chris Jones, New York Daily News, 20 Mar. 2025 The United States has flipped from a moralistic benefactor to a transactional predator of Kyiv’s resources. — Nick Paton Walsh, CNN, 24 Feb. 2025 Cigarettes were first popularized in a more moralistic era. — Cal Newport, The New Yorker, 22 Jan. 2025 How Polarizing Messaging Hurt DEI DEI often positioned itself as a solution to deep social problems, but its prescriptive and moralistic tone alienated some employees and customers. — Gillian Oakenfull, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for moralistic

Word History

First Known Use

1845, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of moralistic was in 1845

Rhymes for moralistic

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moralistic
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“Moralistic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/moralistic. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

moralistic

adjective
mor·​al·​is·​tic ˌmȯr-ə-ˈlis-tik How to pronounce moralistic (audio)
ˌmär-
1
: teaching or pointing out morals
a moralistic story
2
: having or expressing a conservative moral attitude
a moralistic attitude toward the problems of youth

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