sermonize

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   to speak as though delivering a sermon, especially by giving prolonged moral advice or criticism

   He began to sermonize the children about gratitude and obedience.

2. 2
   verb

   to preach or deliver a sermon

   The visiting minister sermonized on charity and forgiveness.

Formed from sermon + -ize. It first meant to preach or compose sermons and then acquired the often critical sense 'speak in a preachy, moralizing manner.' Sermonise is the regular British spelling.

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