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

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

The Kid — a name McCarthy also used for his protagonist in 1985’s “Blood Meridian” — began appearing to Alice during adolescence and serves as a hectoring protector.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 21, 2022

And wasn’t it better to explore and work them out in a rockin’ musical than in some droning, hectoring lecture from their teachers or parents?

From "Drama High" by Michael Sokolove