Meaning of expostulate | Babel Free

Definitions

To protest or remonstrate; to reason earnestly with a person on some impropriety of conduct [(often) with with].

intransitive

Equivalents

Examples

“The tears would run⟳ plentifully down my face⟳ when I made these reflections; and sometimes I would expostulate with myself why Providence should thus completely ruin His creatures, and render them so absolutely miserable; so without help⟳, abandoned, so entirely depressed, that it could hardly be rational to be thankful for such a life.”

“[…] he affectionately loved many persons to whom he never or hardly ever shewed a countenance of love⟳. Once on my venturing to expostulate with him on the subject, he reminded me of Solomon: “Many sons I have⟳; it is not fit that I should smile⟳ on them.””

“Men expostulate with erring friends; they bring⟳ accusations against enemies who have⟳ done them a wrong.”

CEFR level