Definition

Adjective: 1. Inclined to or characterized by giving moral advice in a tedious or self-righteous way: Describes a person, speech, or piece of writing that is overly eager to teach moral lessons, often in a way that is annoying, boring, or perceived as superior.

Usage

The word "preachy" is used to criticize a tone or manner that is excessively moralistic. It implies that the speaker or writer is being tedious, self-righteous, or patronizing in their attempt to instruct others on how to behave or think. It is almost always used in a negative or disapproving sense.

Examples

• Adjective:
  • The novel's message was lost because the author's tone became too preachy.
  • I stopped watching his videos because they got so preachy about diet and exercise.
  • She didn't mean to sound preachy, but her advice came across as a lecture.

Advanced Usage

• "to get preachy": to start speaking in a moralizing, lecturing tone.
  • Whenever politics comes up, my uncle tends to get preachy about his views.

Variants and Related Words

• Preach (verb): To deliver a sermon or to advocate for a moral principle or course of action.
  • He preaches tolerance and understanding.
• Preacher (noun): A person who preaches, especially a member of the clergy.
  • The preacher gave a powerful sermon.

Synonyms

• Moralistic: Concerned with the principles of right and wrong behavior, often in a censorious way.
• Sanctimonious: Making a show of being morally superior to others.
• Didactic: Intended to teach, particularly in having moral instruction as an ulterior motive. (Note: "Didactic" can be neutral, while "preachy" is negative.)
• Lecturing: Talking to someone in a lengthy, serious, and often critical way.

Antonyms

• Nonjudgmental: Avoiding judgments based on personal moral standards.
• Uncritical: Not expressing criticism or analysis.
• Tolerant: Showing willingness to allow the existence of opinions or behavior that one does not necessarily agree with.

Related Phrases and Idioms

• "To preach to the choir": To try to persuade people who already agree with you. (This idiom uses the verb "preach," from which "preachy" is derived, and shares the concept of unnecessary moral instruction.)
  • Telling environmentalists to recycle is just preaching to the choir.

Adjective

1. inclined to or marked by tedious moralization