exhortation

noun

ex·​hor·​ta·​tion ˌek-ˌsȯr-ˈtā-shən 

-sər-;

ˌeg-ˌzȯr-, 

-zər-

1

: an act or instance of exhorting

2

: language intended to incite and encourage

Examples of exhortation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Passages range from the creation of the world to bloody battles and apocalyptic destruction, from exhortations to love of God, neighbor and the needy to passages telling of Jesus' life, death and resurrection. —ABC News, 21 Apr. 2026

But also as promised, the show was all about joy, optimism and self-belief, and if her monologues occasionally veered into self-care exhortations, that was perfectly on brand as well. —Jem Aswad, Variety, 17 Apr. 2026

But his stance against the president’s tyranny is a call to action in the same vein as John Paul II’s exhortation to the free world to oppose the Soviet empire. —Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2026

Caminero’s sprint included several mid-stride hops and fist pumps and exhortations to the crowd. —Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for exhortation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

Kids Definition

exhortation

noun

ex·​hor·​ta·​tion ˌeks-ȯr-ˈtā-shən 

ˌegz-

: an act or instance of exhorting