moralism
noun
mor·al·ism
ˈmȯr-ə-ˌli-zəm 
ˈmär-
1
a
: the habit or practice of moralizing
b
: a conventional moral attitude or saying
2
: an often exaggerated emphasis on morality (as in politics)
Examples of moralism in a Sentence
The candidate's campaign was doomed by an incessant moralism that came across as condescension.
Recent Examples on the Web
In sport as in war and education, there was a moralism and fundamental masculinity associated with the band ensemble.
—
The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 24 Apr. 2025
Liberal states and activists must tone down their legalism, moralism, and universalism.
—Jack Snyder, Foreign Affairs, 21 July 2022
Avoiding the hard sell will require that liberal states and activists tone down their legalism, moralism, and universalism.
—Jack Snyder, Foreign Affairs, 21 July 2022
Trend forecasters were proclaiming that Trump’s reelection represented a cultural shake-up in addition to a governmental one, replacing the stiff moralism of wokeness with cowboy rowdiness and chic nihilism.
—Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 6 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for moralism
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.
The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 24 Apr. 2025
Liberal states and activists must tone down their legalism, moralism, and universalism.
—Jack Snyder, Foreign Affairs, 21 July 2022
Avoiding the hard sell will require that liberal states and activists tone down their legalism, moralism, and universalism.
—Jack Snyder, Foreign Affairs, 21 July 2022
Trend forecasters were proclaiming that Trump’s reelection represented a cultural shake-up in addition to a governmental one, replacing the stiff moralism of wokeness with cowboy rowdiness and chic nihilism.
—Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 6 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for moralism
Cite this Entry
“Moralism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/moralism. Accessed 22 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share