exhortation

noun

ex·​hor·​ta·​tion ˌek-ˌsȯr-ˈtā-shən How to pronounce exhortation (audio)
-sər-;
ˌeg-ˌzȯr-,
-zər-
1
: an act or instance of exhorting
2
: language intended to incite and encourage

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web During the week, Trump repeatedly urged his supporters to protest the investigations in New York and elsewhere, exhortations that some lawmakers interpreted as calls to violence. David Jackson, USA TODAY, 26 Mar. 2023 But in contrast to the rest of the series, Clare-slash-Cheryl’s exhortations on the power of love or radical acceptance or the importance of self-determination have a wistful earnestness that borders on the saccharine. Alison Herman, Variety, 6 Apr. 2023 Some other top Republicans derided the possible indictment of Mr. Trump over the weekend, while Democrats warned that the former president’s social-media exhortations for protests were irresponsible and risked violence akin to the Capitol riot on Jan. 6, 2021. John Mccormick, WSJ, 21 Mar. 2023 His exhortation comes after the Chinese economy posted its second worst annual growth rate in nearly half a century. Laura He, CNN, 7 Mar. 2023 The picture, of a standoff between two men captured in a soft wash of gray ink, feels to me like an exhortation against all manner of threat: Police violence, the ravages of AIDS, whatever danger may lie outside the door. Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 16 Mar. 2023 But the best way to counter the persistent lack of commitment to patient safety is not exhortations, but exposure. Michael L. Millenson, STAT, 17 Feb. 2023 An exhortation to the Ukrainians? Susan B. Glasser, The New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2022 More than 100 years after Daniel Burnham’s exhortation, Johnson is making big plans of his own. Mike Gousha And John Johnson, Journal Sentinel, 8 Mar. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'exhortation.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of exhortation was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near exhortation

Cite this Entry

“Exhortation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/exhortation. Accessed 6 Jun. 2023.

Kids Definition

exhortation

noun
ex·​hor·​ta·​tion ˌeks-ȯr-ˈtā-shən How to pronounce exhortation (audio)
ˌegz-
: an act or instance of exhorting
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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