expostulate

verb

ex·​pos·​tu·​late ik-ˈspäs-chə-ˌlāt 

expostulated; expostulating; expostulates

transitive verb

obsolete : discuss, examine

intransitive verb

: to reason earnestly with a person for purposes of dissuasion or remonstrance

Synonyms

• demur
• except
• kick
• object
• protest
• remonstrate (with)

Examples of expostulate in a Sentence

the concerned parents tried to expostulate with their daughter when she announced her intention to live on her own in New York City

Recent Examples on the Web

But her style, it is suggested (for what happened at those audiences was wholly confidential) was never to expostulate – merely to ask a leading question, or to drop a subtle hint. —Sarah Gristwood, CNN, 12 Sep. 2022

Word History

Etymology

Latin expostulatus, past participle of expostulare to demand, dispute, from ex- + postulare to ask for — more at postulate

First Known Use

1573, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Kids Definition

expostulate

verb

ex·​pos·​tu·​late ik-ˈspäs-chə-ˌlāt 

expostulated; expostulating

: remonstrate

expostulation

-ˌspäs-chə-ˈlā-shən

noun