Crossword clues can sometimes feel deceptively simple. At first glance, a phrase like “more given to moralising” looks straightforward—but many solvers still pause, reread it, and wonder whether there’s a trick hidden inside. Is it a comparative adjective? A synonym? Or something more cryptic?
In this blog, we’ll break down this crossword clue carefully, explore its meaning, explain how setters expect you to think, and arrive at the most accurate and solver-friendly answer.
Quick Answer: “More Given to Moralising” Crossword Clue (If You’re in a Hurry)
✅ PREACHIER
This is the most common and natural crossword answer for “more given to moralising.”
What Does “More Given to Moralising” Mean?
To moralise means to lecture someone about what’s right or wrong — usually in a self-righteous way. When the clue says “more given to moralising”, it points to a comparative quality: a person who is more inclined to deliver moral judgments than others.
This type of clue is common in cryptic and quick crossword puzzles and typically suggests an adjective describing someone judgmental or preachy.
Likely Answers — Check Your Crossword Grid
The correct answer depends heavily on the number of letters in your puzzle and the crossing letters. Here are the most frequent solutions for the clue “more given to moralising”:
| Possible Answer | Letters | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Judgmental | 10 | Disapproving, constantly evaluating others |
| Sanctimonious | 12 | Pretending to be morally superior |
| Sententious | 10 | Overly fond of giving moral advice or lessons |
| Moralistic | 10 | Having or showing fixed ideas about right and wrong |
| Priggish | 8 | Narrow-minded and excessively proper |
| Didactic | 7 | Intended to teach, often excessively instructive |
If your grid is short or long, eliminate answers that don’t match the letter count — this is the fastest shortcut.
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Quick vs Cryptic Clues — Why It Matters
Crossword clues come in two major styles:
🔹 Quick Clues
These are straightforward and rely on synonyms. For example:
- “More given to moralising (10)” would usually lead to judgmental, sententious, or moralistic, based on length.
🔹 Cryptic Clues
Cryptic clues include:
- Wordplay
- Letter rearrangements
- Hidden words
- Comparative hints
Example cryptic construction:
- “Lecturer initially becoming more given to moralising (10)”
- Wordplay may lead to sententious depending on the grid.
Understanding the style helps narrow down which answer form the setter expects.
How to Pick the Right Answer (Fast Solver Strategy)
When you see this clue, use this quick 3-step method:
✔️ Step 1 — Match the letter count
Count the blanks in the puzzle.
Example: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ → 10 letters → shortlist judgmental/sententious / moralistic.
✔️ Step 2 — Add crossing letters
A partially filled grid often reveals the pattern:
J _ D G _ E N T A L→ clearly JUDGMENTAL_ E N T E N T I O U S→ SENTENTIOUS
✔️ Step 3 — Read the clue tone
- Strongly moralising → sanctimonious/sententious
- Disapproving tone → judgmental
- Old-fashioned/literary puzzle → sententious/priggish
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
Many solvers get stuck due to predictable errors:
❌ Expecting an “-er” comparative ending just because of the word more
→ The answer is not always like “moraliser” or “more didactic”.
❌ Confusing similar terms
Didactic, moralistic, and sententious are close, but not identical.
❌ Ignoring puzzle style
Quick puzzles prefer common words like judgmental; cryptics may use sanctimonious or sententious.
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Final Thoughts
The clue “more given to moralising” may look tricky, but once you understand that it signals a comparative moralising attitude, the solution becomes easier. The safest approach is always to check the letter count and crossing letters, then select the synonym that matches the puzzle’s tone.
If your crossword has 10 or 12 letters, chances are high the answer is one of these:
- Judgmental
- Sententious
- Sanctimonious
- Moralistic
With this breakdown, you’ll be able to recognise this clue and similar ones instantly in future puzzles.
FAQ — “More Given to Moralising” Crossword Clue
What is the most common answer for the clue “more given to moralising”?
The most commonly used answer in crossword puzzles is Judgmental (10 letters). However, depending on the length of the grid, other answers like Sententious, Moralistic, or Sanctimonious might also fit.
How do I know which answer is correct for my crossword?
Check the letter count and crossing letters. For example, if your grid is 10 letters and contains J, G, or T in the middle positions, Judgmental is likely correct. If the puzzle has a more literary tone, Sententious may be preferred.
Why do different puzzles have different answers for the same clue?
Crosswords vary in vocabulary preference. Quick puzzles use common words like Judgmental, while cryptic or themed puzzles may choose Sanctimonious or Sententious to increase difficulty or match the puzzle style.
Does the word “more” mean the answer should end with “-er”?
No. Although “more” can indicate comparison, the expected answer is usually a comparative adjective describing someone who moralises, not a word literally ending in -er.
Can “Priggish” or “Didactic” also be correct answers?
Yes — depending on the length and crossing letters. Priggish (8 letters) and Didactic (7 letters) are also valid crossword choices when the clue implies preachiness or moral lecturing.
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