expostulate
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Related to expostulate: malefactions
ex·pos·tu·late
(ĭk-spŏs′chə-lāt′)v. ex·pos·tu·lat·ed, ex·pos·tu·lat·ing, ex·pos·tu·lates
v.intr.
To reason earnestly with someone in an effort to dissuade or correct; remonstrate. See Synonyms at object.
v.tr.
To say in protest; object: "[He] expostulated that they had every right to hold a street meeting" (Pierre Berton).
[Latin expostulāre, expostulāt- : ex-, intensive pref.; see ex- + postulāre, to demand; see prek- in Indo-European roots.]
ex·pos′tu·la′tion n.
ex·pos′tu·la′tor n.
ex·pos′tu·la·to′ry (-lə-tôr′ē), ex·pos′tu·la′tive adj.
expostulate
(ɪkˈspɒstjʊˌleɪt)vb
(usually foll by: with) to argue or reason (with), esp in order to dissuade from an action or intention
[C16: from Latin expostulāre to require, from postulāre to demand; see postulate]
exˌpostuˈlation n
exˈpostuˌlator n
exˈpostulatory, exˈpostulative adj
ex•pos•tu•late
(ɪkˈspɒs tʃəˌleɪt)v.i. -lat•ed, -lat•ing.
to reason earnestly with someone by way of warning or rebuke.
ex•pos′tu•lat`ing•ly, adv.
ex•pos′tu•la`tor, n.
expostulate
Past participle: expostulated
Gerund: expostulating
Imperative |
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expostulate |
expostulate |
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Verb | 1. | expostulate - reason with (somebody) for the purpose of dissuasion |
expostulate
expostulate
verbTo express opposition, often by argument:
Idioms: set up a squawk, take exception.
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