moralistic

[ mawr-uh-lis-tik, mor- ]

adjective

1. explaining or interpreting something in terms of right and wrong, especially in a self-righteous or tiresome way:

   They reject both the moralistic view of addiction as willful evil and the medical model of addiction as a disease.

2. emphasizing morality, especially unduly; moralizing:

   She frowns on moralistic preaching that focuses on ethical duty divorced from the gospel of grace and gratitude.

3. concerned with regulating the morals of others, as by imposing censorship or other restrictions:

   By trying to protect people from their own mistakes, moralistic laws prevent them from learning responsibility.

4. relating to or being a philosopher or philosophy chiefly concerned with principles of morality:

   During this period of antiquity, a number of moralistic philosophies emerged at the same time in different parts of the world.

Other Words From

• mor·al·is·ti·cal·ly adverb
• an·ti·mor·al·is·tic adjective
• o·ver·mor·al·is·tic adjective
• pseu·do·mor·al·is·tic adjective
• qua·si-mor·al·is·tic adjective
• qua·si-mor·al·is·ti·cal·ly adverb
• sem·i·mor·al·is·tic adjective
• un·mor·al·is·tic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of moralistic¹

First recorded in 1840–45; moralist ( def ) + -ic ( def )

Example Sentences

For too long, research-backed solutions to overdose deaths have been eschewed in favor of untested, ideological, punitive and moralistic measures.

From Salon

For too long, research-backed solutions to overdose deaths have been eschewed in favor of untested, ideological, punitive and moralistic measures, leaving millions of Americans without the lifesaving treatment they need.

From Salon

And the language in the official recall petition strikes a moralistic tone.

From Los Angeles Times

Equally “essential,” it would seem, are demagogic leaders who safeguard their own nations' false memories by ginning up moralistic condemnations of other peoples’ vengeful pathologies.

From Salon

A more plausible but still inadequate answer contends that young Americans protesting the Gaza war are indulging a form of politics that privileges their zeal to “find themselves” in moralistic posturing and ideological positioning.

From Salon

Related Words

• conscientious
• decent
• equitable
• honest
• honorable
• humane
• moral
• noble
• righteous
• virtuous