Meaning & use

expostulate

verb·Advanced

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To express strong disagreement or disapproval, especially by reasoning earnestly with someone in an effort to change their mind.

See it in a sentence

She expostulated with her son for nearly an hour about the risks of the trip.

The lawyer expostulated with the judge over the fairness of the ruling.

A note on using this word

A formal, somewhat literary verb; it implies earnest reasoning or pleading rather than simple complaining or shouting.

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