expostulation

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "expostulation" is correct and can be used in written English.
It means the act of expressing strong disapproval or disagreement. It is typically used in a formal or literary context. Example: After the CEO announced the controversial decision, the employees flooded his inbox with angry expostulations.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

Now there is a danger that the benighted region of Darfur, in western Sudan, may join the list of seemingly insoluble problems.Few of the continent's conflicts have provoked as much moral expostulation as when, in 2004 and 2005, the truth emerged about the Sudanese government's brutal suppression of an uprising there.

The Economist

Each of its 23 devotions consists of a meditation, an expostulation, and a prayer, all occasioned by some event in Donne's illness, such as the arrival of the king's personal physician or the application of pigeons to draw vapours from Donne's head.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It is never any good, and neither is the faint air of expostulation that Mrs McAllister has begun to bring to discussions of Marigold's social life.

Independent

Forget Alan Bennett; imagine "The King's Speech" set on a bare stage, stripped of palatial frills, and scripted for two voices — or one and a half voices — by Harold Pinter, the master of muteness and expostulation.

The New Yorker

"That's why the most important sentence in a murder mystery isn't the one starting 'The murderer is…' – which no matter how necessary and fabulously executed is an act of unspeakable narrative winnowing – but is the snarled expostulation halfway through: 'Everyone's a suspect.' Quite.

The Guardian - Books

The canon chancellor lollops in, full of expostulation and fervour.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

Both writer and actor, operating on the principle that well-known figures become less, not more, knowable with the passing of time, tend to fasten on what can be grasped — tics, expostulations, dates in a diary — and, thus armed, venture unabashed into speculation.

The New Yorker

Indeed, the film begins with a sequence of talking heads — the faces and expostulations of the newly sacked, as they respond to the life-draining news.

The New Yorker

At such times, I lean my head back and let my jaw hang slack, which encourages expostulations like "ha-ha" and "ho ho".

The New Yorker

For many years, Lane explains, Eurovision rules prohibited singers from using a language other than the one of the country they represented, and so "cunning lyricists" responded by "smuggling random expostulations into their titles and choruses".

The New Yorker

He was also, even more than Joyce, an unrepenting scatologist, and we are treated to an endless, often tiresome flow of fecal puns, some of them embedded in prose too deeply mired in private nudges and expostulations to be enjoyable: My friends here esquivent the Bones for the more part, which means the bolus has gone home.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "expostulation" in formal writing or when you want to convey a sense of earnest reasoning and dissuasion. It's more impactful than a simple objection.

Common error

Avoid using "expostulation" when you mean to provide an explanation or clarification. "Expostulation" implies strong disapproval, while explanation aims to inform.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "expostulation" is as a noun. It refers to the act of expressing strong disapproval or objection. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is used correctly in written English. Ludwig provides examples of its use in various contexts, demonstrating its function in sentences.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Books

22%

Encyclopedias

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "expostulation" is a noun that denotes a strong expression of disapproval or objection, often with the aim of dissuading or remonstrating. As Ludwig AI confirms, the term is grammatically sound and appropriate for use in written English. Its usage is most prevalent in News & Media, Books, and Encyclopedias. While simpler terms like "objection" or "complaint" exist, they may not fully capture the earnest reasoning implied by "expostulation". When using the term, avoid confusing it with "explanation", which serves a different purpose. It's generally recommended to use "expostulation" in formal contexts to convey a serious and reasoned expression of disapproval.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

remonstration

Focuses more on formal protest or objection.

remonstrance

Similar to remonstration, but may imply a more earnest or heartfelt protest.

objection

A more general term for expressing disapproval or disagreement.

denunciation

A public condemnation or strong criticism.

protest

Emphasizes a more public or demonstrative expression of disagreement.

censure

Implies a more formal and severe expression of disapproval.

complaint

Suggests a grievance or dissatisfaction, often less formal.

reproach

Suggests criticism or blame for a perceived fault.

opposition

Highlights resistance or disagreement with a plan or idea.

disapproval

A milder form of disagreement, often expressed subtly.

FAQs

How can I use "expostulation" in a sentence?

You can use "expostulation" to describe an act of expressing strong disapproval. For example: "The policy change was met with widespread "expostulation" from the community".

What is a simpler word for "expostulation"?

While "expostulation" is quite specific, you can use words like "objection", "protest", or "complaint" if the context allows. However, these alternatives may not fully capture the sense of earnest reasoning inherent in "expostulation".

What's the difference between "expostulation" and "explanation"?

"Expostulation" involves expressing strong disapproval or disagreement, while "explanation" aims to clarify or provide understanding. The two words have completely opposite meanings and should not be confused.

Is "expostulation" a formal word?

Yes, "expostulation" is considered a formal word, often used in literary or official contexts to convey a serious and reasoned expression of disapproval or opposition.