moralistic

adjective

mor·​al·​is·​tic ˌmȯr-ə-ˈli-stik 

ˌmär-

1

: characterized by or expressive of a concern with morality

2

: characterized by or expressive of a narrow moral attitude

moralistically

ˌmȯr-ə-ˈli-sti-k(ə-)lē 

ˌmär-

adverb

Synonyms

• didactic
• homiletic
• homiletical
• moralizing
• preachy
• sententious
• sermonic

Examples of moralistic in a Sentence

While a moralistic speech won't convince kids not to try drugs, a story about people affected by drugs might.

parental opinion was divided on the school's moralistic curriculum

Recent Examples on the Web

And understanding that pleasure and pain relief are not necessarily joined at the hip might help the rest of us be less moralistic about adversity in everyday life. —Richard A. Friedman, The Atlantic, 29 Nov. 2024

As if predicting this kind of encounter, Kyunghee is moralistic about Sunja’s decision to let Mozasu work in what is seen as an ignoble business, the haunt of gangsters and ne’er-do-wellers. —Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 11 Oct. 2024

These are not virtues in a moralistic sense but, rather, habits of excellence inspired by definitions from ancient philosophy. —Sarah Elk, Forbes, 10 Oct. 2024

The shadowy promise of deep melodrama paired with that high-contrast visual melancholy that’s ideal for the moralistic extremes of the 1940s is timelessly alluring. —Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 26 July 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1845, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

moralistic

adjective

mor·​al·​is·​tic ˌmȯr-ə-ˈlis-tik 

ˌmär-

1

: teaching or pointing out morals

a moralistic story

2

: having or expressing a conservative moral attitude

a moralistic attitude toward the problems of youth