expostulate

[ ik-spos-chuh-leyt ]

verb (used without object)

, ex·pos·tu·lat·ed, ex·pos·tu·lat·ing.

1. to reason earnestly with someone against something that person intends to do or has done; remonstrate:

   His father expostulated with him about the evils of gambling.

   Synonyms: counsel, exhort, protest, argue, dispute

expostulate

/ ɪkˈspɒstjʊˌleɪt /

verb

1. intrusually foll bywith to argue or reason (with), esp in order to dissuade from an action or intention

Derived Forms

• exˈpostuˌlator, noun
• exˈpostulatory, adjective
• exˌpostuˈlation, noun
• exˈpostuˌlatingly, adverb

Other Words From

• ex·postu·lating·ly adverb
• ex·postu·lator noun
• unex·postu·lating adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of expostulate¹

First recorded in 1525–35; from Latin expostulātus “urgently demanded, required” (past participle of expostulāre ); ex- ¹, postulate

Word History and Origins

Origin of expostulate¹

C16: from Latin expostulāre to require, from postulāre to demand; see postulate

Example Sentences

Situated as we were, we did not feel ourselves at liberty to expostulate against the obvious unreasonableness of their demands.

From Project Gutenberg

“Yes,” replied the seamen, unanimously; and Ready knew that it was in vain to expostulate.

From Project Gutenberg

To expostulate with the rebellious house of Israel he was sent.

From Project Gutenberg

And so great had been my surprise over these last acquirements of the captain that until now I had had no breath to expostulate.

From Project Gutenberg

Let us expostulate with these learned sages, these priests of the sacred temple of justice.

From Project Gutenberg