Definition

1. Noun:
   • The practice of making judgments about other people's morality: "Moralism" refers to the act or habit of commenting on, criticizing, or lecturing others about their moral behavior or principles, often in a self-righteous or censorious manner.
   • A moral maxim or saying: "Moralism" can also refer to a concise statement that expresses a general truth or principle about morality or proper conduct.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • His constant moralism about everyone's life choices made him very unpopular. (His habit of judging others' morality made him very unpopular.)
  • The sermon was filled with simple moralisms about honesty and hard work. (The sermon was filled with simple moral sayings about honesty and hard work.)

Advanced Usage

• As an uncountable concept (judgmental attitude): Often used to describe an abstract attitude or tendency.
  • The film critiques the moralism of Victorian society. (The film critiques the judgmental attitude regarding morality in Victorian society.)
• As a countable item (a saying): Can be used in the plural form.
  • The book is a collection of old-fashioned moralisms. (The book is a collection of old-fashioned moral sayings.)

Variants and Related Words

• Moralist (noun): A person who practices or teaches moralism, especially in a dogmatic way.
  • He was seen as a stern moralist who had little patience for human weakness.
• Moralistic (adjective): Characterized by or displaying moralism, often implying a narrow or self-righteous judgment of others.
  • She rejected his moralistic tone.
• Moralize (verb): To comment on moral issues, especially in a judgmental way.
  • He tends to moralize about politics.

Synonyms

• Sanctimony: The feigning of piety or righteousness; hypocritical morality.
• Preachiness: The quality of being inclined to give moral advice in a tedious or pompous way.
• Maxim: A short, pithy statement expressing a general truth or rule of conduct (for the "saying" sense).
• Aphorism: A concise statement of a principle or truth (for the "saying" sense).

Related Phrases

• To be full of moralism: To be characterized by a judgmental attitude about morality.
  • His letters were full of moralism and criticism.
• To lapse into moralism: To begin speaking or acting in a moralizing way.
  • The discussion lapsed into moralism instead of focusing on practical solutions.

Related Idioms

• To stand on a moral high ground: To act as if one's moral principles are superior to those of others (closely related to the attitude described by "moralism").
  • You can't solve this problem by standing on your moral high ground.

Noun

1. judgments about another person's morality
   • he could not stand her hectoring moralism
2. a moral maxim