hectoring

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

A light touch works better than self-righteous hectoring.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 27, 2025

As the lady of the house, Hüller cuts a loathsome, terrifying figure: She’s a hausfrau Lady Macbeth, all inelegant vanity and hectoring manipulation.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 14, 2023

Biden will bring up concerns about press freedoms, religious freedoms and other issues in a respectful way without "hectoring, lecturing or scolding," one U.S. official who briefed reporters said.

From Reuters • Jun. 22, 2023

I've been on the service since 2007, and one thing has become depressingly clear: People get way more RTs, replies and likes if they take a hectoring, moralistic tone.

From Salon • Nov. 21, 2022

Then Comrade Pillai, in a hectoring voice, quoted Chairman Mao.

From "The God of Small Things" by Arundhati Roy