Definition

1. 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

1. speak as if delivering a sermon; express moral judgements
   • This man always sermonizes