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
Synonyms
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
Cigarettes were first popularized in a more moralistic era.
—
Cal Newport, The New Yorker, 22 Jan. 2025
How Polarizing Messaging Hurt DEI DEI often positioned itself as a solution to deep social problems, but its prescriptive and moralistic tone alienated some employees and customers.
—Gillian Oakenfull, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025
As plans for January premières, luncheons, and awards shows were upended, we were treated to an almost moralistic spectacle of Tinseltown frivolities colliding with the elemental dictates of Mother Nature.
—Justin Chang, The New Yorker, 9 Jan. 2025
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
See all Example Sentences for moralistic 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Cal Newport, The New Yorker, 22 Jan. 2025
How Polarizing Messaging Hurt DEI DEI often positioned itself as a solution to deep social problems, but its prescriptive and moralistic tone alienated some employees and customers.
—Gillian Oakenfull, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025
As plans for January premières, luncheons, and awards shows were upended, we were treated to an almost moralistic spectacle of Tinseltown frivolities colliding with the elemental dictates of Mother Nature.
—Justin Chang, The New Yorker, 9 Jan. 2025
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
See all Example Sentences for moralistic
Dictionary Entries Near moralistic
Cite this Entry
“Moralistic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/moralistic. Accessed 14 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share