What does "moralism" mean?
The act or practice of moralizing (making moral reflections or judging the morality of others).
Moralism
noun
noun ·4 syllables ·Uncommon ·Advanced level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: The act or practice of moralizing (making moral reflections or judging the morality of others).
- Grammar: moralism is listed as noun.
- Nearest alternatives: moralizing, ethicism, legalism, moral criticism.
- Useful contrasts: aestheticism, antinomian, antinomianism.
- Usage evidence: 1937, Helen Foster Snow (as Nym Wales), “The Modern Chinese Literary Movement” in Edgar Snow (ed.), Living China: Modern Chinese Short Stories, New York: Reynal & Hitchcock, p. 337, The Romantic movement […] struggled for ‘art for art’s sake’ against the old moralism and didacticism […]
How to use "moralism"
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- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "moralism" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "moralism" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
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Compare nearby meanings
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Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "moralism" is acting as noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "moralizing" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
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Final meaning check
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When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 The act or practice of moralizing (making moral reflections or judging the morality of others). derogatory, often, uncountable, usually
"1937, Helen Foster Snow (as Nym Wales), “The Modern Chinese Literary Movement” in Edgar Snow (ed.), Living China: Modern Chinese Short Stories, New York: Reynal & Hitchcock, p. 337, The Romantic movement […] struggled for ‘art for art’s sake’ against the old moralism and didacticism […]"
- 2 judgments about another person's morality wordnet
- 3 A maxim or saying believed by the speaker to embody a moral truth; an instance of moralizing. countable, derogatory, often, usually
"There was a delicious spice of worldliness in the topics of conversation which was quite refreshing to him, accustomed as he was to the somewhat droning moralisms of his “congenial friends.”"
- 4 a moral maxim wordnet
- 5 Religious practice that focuses on morality while placing little emphasis on doctrine or the metaphysical; adherence to a system of morality with little or no reference to religion. dated, uncountable, usually
"That thin, colorless protestantism of her fathers had faded into a nameless moralism. She had no Christ before whom she could pour her adoration and love. Instead, she had taken to herself a man; and now the clay of his being was crumbling in her hands...."
Synonyms
All synonymsExample
"1937, Helen Foster Snow (as Nym Wales), “The Modern Chinese Literary Movement” in Edgar Snow (ed.), Living China: Modern Chinese Short Stories, New York: Reynal & Hitchcock, p. 337, The Romantic movement […] struggled for ‘art for art’s sake’ against the old moralism and didacticism […]"
Common questions
What is a synonym for "moralism"?
Common synonyms include: moralizing, ethicism, legalism, moral criticism, moral ideology, moral politics.
How do you use "moralism" in a sentence?
1937, Helen Foster Snow (as Nym Wales), “The Modern Chinese Literary Movement” in Edgar Snow (ed.), Living China: Modern Chinese Short Stories, New York: Reynal & Hitchcock, p. 337, The Romantic movement […] struggled for ‘art for art’s sake’ against the old moralism and didacticism […]
Etymology
From French moralisme.