EXPOSTULATION

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does expostulation mean? 

• EXPOSTULATION (noun)
  The noun EXPOSTULATION has 2 senses:

1. the act of expressing earnest opposition or protest

2. an exclamation of protest or remonstrance or reproof

  Familiarity information: EXPOSTULATION used as a noun is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• EXPOSTULATION (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

The act of expressing earnest opposition or protest

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Synonyms:

expostulation; objection; remonstrance; remonstration

Hypernyms ("expostulation" is a kind of...):

communicating; communication (the activity of communicating; the activity of conveying information)

Derivation:

expostulate (reason with (somebody) for the purpose of dissuasion)

Sense 2

Meaning:

An exclamation of protest or remonstrance or reproof

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Hypernyms ("expostulation" is a kind of...):

exclaiming; exclamation (an abrupt excited utterance)

 Context examples 

Miss Bingley warmly resented the indignity he had received, in an expostulation with her brother for talking such nonsense.

(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)

By the side of the column walked a huge red-headed bowman, with his hands thrown out in argument and expostulation, while close at his heels followed a little wrinkled woman who poured forth a shrill volley of abuse, varied by an occasional thwack from her stick, given with all the force of her body, though she might have been beating one of the forest trees for all the effect that she seemed likely to produce.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

One strong proof of my wretchedly defective nature is, that even her expostulations, so mild, so rational, have not influence to cure me of my faults; and even her praise, though I value it most highly, cannot stimulate me to continued care and foresight.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

I told the emperor that my good fortune had thrown this boat in my way, to carry me to some place whence I might return into my native country; and begged his majesty’s orders for getting materials to fit it up, together with his license to depart; which, after some kind expostulations, he was pleased to grant.

(Gulliver's Travels into several remote nations of the world, by Jonathan Swift)

The circle closed up again with a running murmur of expostulation; it was a minute before I could see anything at all. Then new arrivals disarranged the line and Jordan and I were pushed suddenly inside.

(The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald)