moralism

[ mawr-uh-liz-uhm, mor- ]

noun

1. the habit of moralizing.
2. a moral maxim.
3. emphasis, especially undue emphasis, on morality.
4. the practice of morality, as distinct from religion.

moralism

/ ˈmɒrəˌlɪzəm /

noun

1. the habit or practice of moralizing
2. a moral saying
3. the practice of moral principles without reference to religion

Other Words From

• anti·moral·ism noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of moralism¹

First recorded in 1820–30; moral + -ism

Example Sentences

The Madea films thrive on an ugly mix of minstrelsy and moralism.

From The Daily Beast

There is, to be sure, something wonderful about the Jewish outsider-ness, the irony and the moralism.

From The Daily Beast

Republicanism has become a Southern Gothic farce of paranoia, resentment, scandal, and hypocritical moralism.

From The Daily Beast

Grant the foregoing argument, and all the apparatus of abstract moralism follows in its wake.

From Project Gutenberg

Animism, theism, pantheism, are destined to fall under the domination of what may be called moralism.

From Project Gutenberg

Moralism is usually identified as belief in good behavior as a source of life.

From Project Gutenberg

If they are mystical quietists, they regard mere moralism as the struggling of a soul that is not saved.

From Project Gutenberg

Pluralistic moralism simply makes their teeth chatter, it refrigerates the very heart within their breast.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• advice
• exhortation
• homily
• lecture
• lesson
• preaching
• tirade