Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

expostulate

/ɛksˈpɑstjʊleɪt/

Word Rarity Very rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 1.22 in modern English

Syllables: ex-pos-tu-late
IPA: /ɛksˈpɑstjʊleɪt/

20

Scrabble Score

11

Letters

4

Syllables

9

Unique Chars

Meaning

verb

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

Intransitive verb

Example Sentences

"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."

Etymology

From Latin expostulō (“demand, claim”) + -ate (verb-forming suffix). By surface analysis, ex- + postulate.

Word Breakdown

Root: *preḱ-

Regional Pronunciation

American English: /ɛksˈpɑstjʊleɪt/
British English: /ɛksˈpɒstjʊleɪt/

Usage

Intransitive verb

Inflected Forms

expostulates (present, singular) expostulating (participle, present) expostulated (participle, past) expostulated (past)

Derived Forms

expostulatingly expostulative expostulatory unexpostulating

Synonyms

challenge demur except inveigh kick object protest remonstrate squawk

Questions

How do you pronounce expostulate?: The recorded pronunciation is /ɛksˈpɑstjʊleɪt/.
What does expostulate mean?: To protest or remonstrate; to reason earnestly with a person on some impropriety of conduct [(often) with with].
Where does expostulate come from?: From Latin expostulō (“demand, claim”) + -ate (verb-forming suffix). By surface analysis, ex- + postulate.

How to pronounce expostulate

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