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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Tennessee and Students for Fair Admissions did not object to the group’s request to lead the legal defense.—
Collin Binkley,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Aug. 2025
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Nobody on my side of the political aisle objected when the New Orleans monument came down.—
Jonathan Zimmerman,
Twin Cities,
21 Aug. 2025
Verb
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People also protested outside government minister’s homes.—
From Tal Shalev,
CNN Money,
17 Aug. 2025
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According to an official website, over 200 events were held across 34 states yesterday to protest Texas Republicans' efforts to redraw the state's electoral maps in their favor—a strategy that has been picked up by Republican leaders in other states as well ahead of next year's midterms.—
Giulia Carbonaro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Consumers have complained that stores feel less distinctive, private labels have multiplied to the point of confusion, and online shopping options lag those of competitors.—
Mark Faithfull,
Forbes.com,
20 Aug. 2025
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Indeed, many Republican lawmakers — including House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune — have complained of crime in D.C. and embraced Trump's efforts to address it.—
Rachel Treisman,
NPR,
20 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Expostulate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/expostulate. Accessed 29 Aug. 2025.
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