sermonize
/'sə:mənaiz/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Verb:
- To speak in a solemn, moralizing, or lecturing manner, especially to express moral judgments or advice: The word "sermonize" describes the act of speaking at length in a way that resembles a formal religious sermon, often with a tone of moral superiority or didactic instruction.
Usage
- sermonize is used to describe a specific style of speaking. It is typically used in a slightly negative or critical sense to imply that the speaker is being overly preachy, tedious, or self-righteous.
- It is an intransitive verb (e.g., ) but can be followed by a prepositional phrase beginning with "to" or "about" (e.g., ).
Examples
- Verb:
- The politician began to sermonize about the decline of family values.
- I don't mean to sermonize, but you really should think about the consequences of your actions.
- After the meeting, my boss sermonized for twenty minutes on the importance of punctuality.
Advanced Usage
- "to sermonize at someone": To direct a moralizing lecture specifically toward a person, often in a way that feels intrusive or unwelcome.
- She felt uncomfortable when her aunt would sermonize at her about her life choices.
- "to sermonize on/upon a topic": To deliver a lengthy, moralistic discourse about a particular subject.
- The columnist loves to sermonize upon the virtues of a simple life.
Variants and Related Words
- Sermon (n): A talk on a religious or moral subject, especially one given during a religious service. This is the noun from which "sermonize" is derived.
- The priest delivered a powerful sermon on forgiveness.
- Sermonizer (n): A person who habitually sermonizes.
- He gained a reputation as a tiresome sermonizer.
- Sermonizing (n/gerund): The act or an instance of delivering a sermon-like speech.
- His constant sermonizing drove his friends away.
Synonyms
- Preach: To deliver a sermon or to advocate for a principle, belief, or course of action, often with earnestness.
- Lecturing: To give a formal talk or reprove someone at length.
- Moralize: To comment on issues of right and wrong, typically with an air of superiority.
- Pontificate: To express one's opinions in a pompous and dogmatic way.
Antonyms
- Listen: To give attention with the ear.
- Converse: To engage in an exchange of ideas or casual talk.
Related Idioms and Phrases
- "To get on one's soapbox": To express one's opinions passionately or publicly, often in a preachy manner. This is a close conceptual synonym for "sermonize."
- Whenever politics is mentioned, he gets on his soapbox and starts sermonizing.
- "To preach to the choir": To try to persuade people who already agree with you. While "preach" is used here, the action described is similar to sermonizing in an unnecessary context.
- Telling this environmental group to recycle is just preaching to the choir.
Verb
- speak as if delivering a sermon; express moral judgements
- This man always sermonizes