MORALIZING

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does moralizing mean? 

• MORALIZING (noun)
  The noun MORALIZING has 1 sense:

1. indulgence in moral pronouncements; the exposition (often superficially) of a particular moral code

  Familiarity information: MORALIZING used as a noun is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• MORALIZING (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Indulgence in moral pronouncements; the exposition (often superficially) of a particular moral code

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Synonyms:

moralisation; moralization; moralizing

Context example:

his constant moralizing drove me mad

Hypernyms ("moralizing" is a kind of...):

philosophizing (the exposition (often superficially) of a particular philosophy)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "moralizing"):

preachification (moralization delivered tediously in a preachy manner)

Derivation:

moralize (speak as if delivering a sermon; express moral judgements)

 Context examples 

But I forget that I am moralizing in the most interesting part of my tale, and your looks remind me to proceed.

(Frankenstein, by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley)

From such a moralizing strain as this, she was suddenly roused by a touch on the shoulder, and turning round, perceived Mrs. Hughes directly behind her, attended by Miss Tilney and a gentleman.

(Northanger Abbey, by Jane Austen)

A ball itself could not have been more welcome to Catherine than this little excursion, so strong was her desire to be acquainted with Woodston; and her heart was still bounding with joy when Henry, about an hour afterwards, came booted and greatcoated into the room where she and Eleanor were sitting, and said, I am come, young ladies, in a very moralizing strain, to observe that our pleasures in this world are always to be paid for, and that we often purchase them at a great disadvantage, giving ready-monied actual happiness for a draft on the future, that may not be honoured.

(Northanger Abbey, by Jane Austen)