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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Recent Examples of expostulate
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
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
Verb
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Immigrant advocates and many Democratic politicians strenuously object to sweeps, such as those that have happened in recent weeks at Home Depot, workplaces, and courts where migrants go to keep court appointments.—
Francine Kiefer,
Christian Science Monitor,
12 June 2025
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The state's lawsuit also lambasts Trump for bypassing the governor and local leaders who objected to the mobilization of the National Guard and active duty Marines.—
Alexandra Hutzler,
ABC News,
12 June 2025
Verb
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Why are people protesting President Trump? Critics have questioned Trump’s decision to throw an expensive military parade at a time when service members, veterans and their families are being affected by cuts to federal programs and services.—
Sarah Linn,
Sacbee.com,
6 June 2025
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Chicagoans have the right to protest the separation of family members by federal immigration enforcement.—
Billal Rahman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 June 2025
Verb
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Patterson complained about her in-laws behind their backs Erin and Simon Patterson got married in 2007 and, after splitting and reconciling multiple times over the years, separated permanently in 2015.—
Rachel Treisman,
NPR,
7 June 2025
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Occasionally, drivers call the CHP to complain — especially during rush hour.—
Tina Li,
Sacbee.com,
7 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Expostulate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/expostulate. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.
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