moralize

verb6

1. •
   To make moral reflections (on, upon, about or over something); to regard acts and events as involving a moral.

   • […] I shall not make an unworthy Correspondent altogether; for I can get into thy grave Way, and moralize a little now-and-then: — 1741
2. •
   To say (something) expressing a moral reflection or judgment.

   • “Unless I heard the whole repeated, I cannot continue it,” she said. / “Yet it was quickly learned, ‘soon gained, soon gone,’” moralized the tutor. — 1849
3. •
   To render moral; to correct the morals of; to give the appearance of morality to.

   • Far more dangerous than crimes of passion are the crimes of idealism—the crimes which are instigated, fostered and moralized by hallowed words. — 1952
4. •
   To give a moral quality to; to affect the moral quality of, either for better or worse.

   • He makes no attempt to moralize his gods or to pass any moral judgement upon them. — 1948
5. •
   (no longer used) To apply to a moral purpose; to explain in a moral sense; to draw a moral from.

   • Did he not moralize this spectacle? — 1598
6. •
   (no longer used) To supply with moral lessons, teachings, or examples; to lend a moral to.

   • Kind Nature’s charities his steps attend, In every babbling brook he finds a friend, While chast’ning thoughts of sweetest use, bestowed By Wisdom, moralize his pensive road. — 1793