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

But it also hamstrung by its earnestness, with a tone of finger-wagging moralism that is the antithesis of fun.

From New York Times

Set around a fire pit in a Wyoming backyard, where a late-night celebration among a group of conservative millennials grows combative, “Heroes” makes for a piercing deconstruction of evangelical ideals, right-wing moralism and intergenerational politics.

From Washington Post

Surrealism was a free-flowing network of exchanges, translations, idealizations and misunderstandings — and on this matter, all too rarely in this age of smug cultural moralism, the curators actually treat us like adults.

From New York Times

It’s conservatives who prefer ideology and moralism to the facts.

From Washington Post

But they just contribute to a moralism that misses the tone of the book.

From New York Times

Related Words

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