expostulation

noun

ex·​pos·​tu·​la·​tion ik-ˌspäs-chə-ˈlā-shən How to pronounce expostulation (audio)
: an act or an instance of expostulating
expostulatory adjective

Examples of expostulation in a Sentence

despite the earnest expostulations of her friends, Jessica continued to date the foul-tempered guy
Recent Examples on the Web The pages of No More are composed of gnomic iterations, fragments of thought or expostulation, and dialogue with her devoted partner Yann Andréa, who compiled No More in the penultimate year of her life. Matthew Gavin Frank, Harper's Magazine, 21 Dec. 2022

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'expostulation.' 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

1540, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of expostulation was in 1540

Dictionary Entries Near expostulation

Cite this Entry

“Expostulation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/expostulation. Accessed 4 Nov. 2024.

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