preach

American  

[preech] / pritʃ /

verb (used with object)

1. to proclaim or make known by sermon (the gospel, good tidings, etc.).

2. to deliver (a sermon).

3. to advocate or inculcate (religious or moral truth, right conduct, etc.) in speech or writing.

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verb (used without object)

1. to deliver a sermon.

2. to give earnest advice, as on religious or moral subjects or the like.

   Synonyms:

   expound, pronounce, profess, advocate

3. to give earnest advice in an obtrusive or tedious way.

idioms

1. preach to the choir. preach to the choir.

preach British  

/ priːtʃ /

verb

1. to make known (religious truth) or give religious or moral instruction or exhortation in (sermons)

2. to advocate (a virtue, action, etc), esp in a moralizing way

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preach More Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing preach

• practice what you preach

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Other Word Forms

• outpreach verb (used with object)
• preachable adjective
• unpreached adjective

Etymology

Origin of preach

1175–1225; Middle English prechen < Old French pre ( ë ) chier < Late Latin praedicāre to preach ( Latin: to assert publicly, proclaim). See predicate

Example Sentences

“All I’m preaching is about Jesus Christ and they waived me, right? They say I’m crazy, right? I’m psycho,” Ivey said.

From Los Angeles Times

Musk had preached of populating Mars, but now his focus has turned to a closer heavenly body, our moon.

From The Wall Street Journal

Lanier graduated from college at 20 and trained as a minister before going to law school at Texas Tech University, hoping to make enough money to support his preaching.

From The Wall Street Journal

Generally speaking, I find the “millennials are entitled” narrative quite tired and sometimes preached by people who grew up in a much healthier economy.

From MarketWatch

There’s little time spent on subtext, and even less on preaching.

From Salon

Related Words

• exhort
• teach