preach
2 ENTRIES FOUND:
preaches;
preached;
preaching
preaches;
preached;
preaching
Britannica Dictionary definition of PREACH
1
:
to make a speech about religion in a church or other public place
:
to deliver a sermon
[no object]
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Have you ever heard that minister preach?
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The minister preached to the congregation about/on the need for tolerance.
[+ object]
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His followers listened to him preach the gospel.
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The priest preached a regular sermon that Sunday.
2
:
to write or speak about (something) in an approving way
:
to say that (something) is good or necessary
[+ object]
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Some people have begun to complain about the project delays, but the mayor continues to preach patience. [=to say that people should be patient]
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Although he once preached revolution [=said that there should be a revolution], he now claims to be a man of peace.
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Their mother has always preached the value/virtues of a good education.
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Practice what you preach —don't smoke if you tell your children not to smoke.
[no object]
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The mayor continues to preach about the need for patience.
3
[no object]
:
to write or speak in an annoying way about the right way to behave
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It's important to give teenagers helpful advice without preaching (to/at them).
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I don't like being preached at/to about how I should live my life.
preach to the choir
(chiefly US) or preach to the converted
:
to speak for or against something to people who already agree with your opinions
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The speeches he makes to his supporters won't win him any more votes. He's just preaching to the choir.
