judgemental

Judgemental is an adjective used to describe a person, attitude, or statement that tends to form and express quick, critical judgments about others, especially regarding morals, character, or life choices. It connotes disapproval and often a tendency to evaluate people by narrow standards rather than considering context or nuance. In American English the preferred form is judgmental, while judgemental is common in British English and other varieties that favor the noun judgement from which the adjective is derived.

Etymology: The term derives from judgement, from Old French jugement and Latin iudicium, with the suffix -al forming an adjective meaning related to making judgments. The concept centers on the act of judging, but judgemental describes a predisposition toward such judgments.

Usage: People described as judgmental are often perceived as harsh or moralizing, though the label can be used descriptively to note a tendency rather than a value judgment about a particular statement. Some contexts distinguish between constructive feedback and blanket moralizing; effectiveness depends on tone, evidence, and openness to other perspectives.

In psychology and social discourse: Judgemental attitudes can reflect cognitive biases such as fundamental attribution error, social categorization, or moral reasoning. They can impede dialogue, stigmatize differences, and reduce perceived empathy, especially in sensitive topics like health, identity, or personal choice.

See also: nonjudgmental, critical thinking, moralizing, bias.