exhortation

[ eg-zawr-tey-shuhn, ek-sawr- ]

noun

1. the act or process of exhorting.
2. an utterance, discourse, or address conveying urgent advice or recommendations.

Other Words From

• nonex·hor·tation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of exhortation¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English exhortacioun, from Latin exhortātiōn- (stem of exhortātiō ) “a pleading, urging.” See exhortative, -ion

Synonym Study

See advice.

Example Sentences

Though King helped infuse the Civil Rights Movement with Christian imagery and exhortation, and many Black churches took a leading role in rallying support, other church leaders, especially in the American South, were reluctant to weigh in, not wanting to alienate the white community and the dominant white power structures.

From Salon

Lewis told Salon that, as a self-described universalist who believes that all human beings will be restored to a right relationship with God, Christian exhortation need not come at the expense of pluralism.

From Salon

Other historians characterize the growth of beards in some contexts as a response to insecurities over manhood and power, with Valeriano supporting this argument with his exhortation for priests to refrain from shaving in order to embody the post-1527 reassertion of Church authority.

From Salon

Her husband Barack Obama followed up with a similar exhortation, in what amounted to a one-two punch designed to motivate the thousands in the arena to hit the streets when they return to their hometowns across the country.

From BBC

But, hey, politics is about success at the ballot box, to use a favorite Pelosi exhortation.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• admonition
• encouragement
• entreaty
• sermon