Preach: meaning, definitions and examples

Typically used in religious contexts where a person is delivering a message or teaching about morality, spirituality, or religious beliefs.

• The pastor will preach about forgiveness during Sunday's service
• She often preaches the importance of kindness and empathy

Often used negatively or pejoratively to describe someone who speaks in a moralistic or self-righteous manner, usually overbearingly.

• He tends to sermonize about the evils of modern technology
• I wish she wouldn't sermonize every time we talk about politics

Used when formally or publicly announcing something, often with an air of authority or importance.

• The king proclaimed a new law to be effective immediately
• She proclaimed her innocence to the court

Commonly used in the context of supporting, recommending, or being in favor of a particular cause, policy, or idea.

• He advocates for equal rights in the workplace
• The organization advocates for environmental protection

Used when speaking about delivering religious or moral messages, often in a formal and authoritative manner.

• The pastor preached about the importance of kindness during the Sunday service
• She always preaches honesty to her children

Appropriate when discussing the act of encouraging or actively supporting something, often in a commercial or public sense.

• The company promotes its new product through various advertisements
• Schools promote healthy eating among students

Best applied when referring to the act of publicly supporting or recommending a particular cause or policy.

• He advocates for equal rights for all citizens
• The doctor advocates a healthy diet and regular exercise

Fitting when talking about spreading ideas, beliefs, or information to a wide audience, sometimes scientifically or systematically.

• The scientist worked to propagate his theories about climate change
• They used social media to propagate the news quickly

This is a duplicate entry. Refer to the first entry for 'preach'.

Advocacy refers to the act of supporting, defending, or arguing in favor of a cause, policy, or group of people. This term is common in legal, social, and political contexts.

• She has dedicated her career to the advocacy of environmental protection
• The organization focuses on child welfare advocacy

A sermon is a specific type of preaching, usually within a religious context. It is a speech given by a religious leader during a service which covers moral or religious topics.

• The priest delivered a moving sermon about compassion
• Many people attend church just to listen to the sermons

A lecture is a formal talk on a serious subject given to a group of people, especially students. It is mainly used in educational contexts.

• The professor gave a fascinating lecture on quantum physics
• Students are required to attend weekly lectures