moralize

Etymology

From Old French moraliser

Verb

moralize (third-person singular simple present moralizes, present participle moralizing, simple past and past participle moralized)

1. (transitive) To apply to a moral purpose; to explain in a moral sense; to draw a moral from.
   • L'Estrange

     This fable is moralized in a common proverb.

   • Shakespeare

     Did he not moralize this spectacle?

2. (transitive) To supply with moral lessons, teachings, or examples; to lend a moral to.
   • Wordsworth

     While chastening thoughts of sweetest use, bestowed / By Wisdom, moralize his pensive road.

3. (transitive) To render moral; to correct the morals of.
   • D. Ramsay

     It had a large share in moralizing the poor white people of the country.

4. (transitive) To give a moral quality to; to affect the moral quality of, either for better or worse.
   • Sir Thomas Browne

     Good and bad stars moralize not our actions.

5. (intransitive) To make moral reflections; to regard acts and events as involving a moral.

Anagrams

• molarize