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/ɛksˈpɒstjʊleɪt/ · verb
(intransitive) To protest or remonstrate; to reason earnestly with a person on some impropriety of conduct [(often) with with]..
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.
Use expostulate when its meaning, tone and grammar fit the full sentence. A synonym is not always a direct replacement.
Expostulate means (intransitive) To protest or remonstrate; to reason earnestly with a person on some impropriety of conduct [(often) with with]..
Common synonyms include challenge, demur, except, inveigh.
The opposite depends on the specific sense.
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.
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