expostulate

verb

ik-ˈspäs-chə-ˌlāt How to pronounce expostulate (audio)
Definition of expostulatenext
as in to object
to present an opposing opinion or argument the concerned parents tried to expostulate with their daughter when she announced her intention to live on her own in New York City

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of expostulate But most of her extended conversations on campus were either with the administrator, Val, or with the custodian, a man named Hank who liked to park himself in her office doorway and expostulate about the upcoming hunting season. — Literary Hub, 11 May 2026 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 His humility does not work in his favor when promoting fights, and there is no hype man in Miocic’s corner expostulating his accolades. — Justin Barrasso, SI.com, 14 Aug. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for expostulate
  1. object
  2. complain
  3. protest
Verb
  • In an interview with CNBC on the sidelines of the G20 meeting, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Washington wouldn't object if Tokyo intervened to support a weakening yen.
    — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Roberts disagreed with the majority of his colleagues about whether the National Trust for Historic Preservation – which objects to the design of the ballroom – can meet the legal standard for showing it would be sufficiently harmed by the project.
    — Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of object
Verb
  • The sport is now on TV every night of the week these days—and unlike some traditionalists, football-loving families aren’t complaining.
    — Beth Ann Mayer, Parents, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Undermining an alliance Coupang is not the first American company to complain of targeting by South Korean regulators.
    — Justin Papp, CNBC, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of complain
Verb
  • Health workers in affected provinces have gone on several strikes to protest delays in payments, which has affected the response to the deadly outbreak.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Finance ministers walk out of a G20 meeting in 2022 to protest Russia's attendance.
    — Yuliya Talmazan, NBC news, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of protest

Browse Nearby Words

expository
expostulate
expostulated
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Cite this Entry

“Expostulate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/expostulate. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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