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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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
  • The automakers also object to the government interfering in parts of the design that don’t improve the safety of the vehicle, saying a radio is different from seat belts and airbags.
    — Chris Isidore, CNN Money, 11 Oct. 2026
  • The company objected to the data deal, saying part of what the airline was selling to Google belonged to them as intellectual property.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of object
Verb
  • Some users have complained on social media that the agent accessed personal messages without authorization, which the company has disputed.
    — Jonathan Vanian, CNBC, 12 Oct. 2026
  • In a 2023 memorandum obtained by Fox News Digital, Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield, who was then serving as the city council president, said residents complained about rodent infestations during a community meeting.
    — Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of complain
Verb
  • Four Republican senators and two Democratic senators signed onto the statement released Sunday protesting the deal.
    — Kevin Freking, Los Angeles Times, 11 Oct. 2026
  • Four Republican senators and two Democratic senators signed onto the statement released Sunday in protesting the deal.
    — Kevin Freking, Fortune, 11 Oct. 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 14 Oct. 2026.

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