remonstrate

American  

[ri-mon-streyt] / rɪˈmɒn streɪt /

verb (used with object)

remonstrated, remonstrating

1. to say or plead in protest, objection, or disapproval.

2. Obsolete. to show.

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verb (used without object)

remonstrated, remonstrating

1. to present reasons in complaint; plead in protest.

   Synonyms:

   expostulate, object, argue

remonstrate British  

/ ˈrɛmənˌstreɪt, rɪˈmɒnstrətɪv /

verb

1. to argue in protest or objection

   to remonstrate with the government

2. archaic to show or point out

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Other Word Forms

• remonstratingly
  adverb
• remonstration
  noun
• remonstrative
  adjective
• remonstratively
  adverb
• remonstrator
  noun
• unremonstrated
  adjective
• unremonstrating
  adjective
• unremonstrative
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of remonstrate

1590–1600; < Medieval Latin remōnstrātus (past participle of remōnstrāre to exhibit, demonstrate), equivalent to re- re- + mōnstrā ( re ) to show + -tus past participle suffix; see -ate ¹

Explanation

Remonstrate means to call someone on something that's wrong. If your mother yells at you in public, you might call this getting chewed out. She might call it remonstrating. Either way, it's embarrassing. Remonstrate has its roots in a Latin verb meaning "to show," and it used to mean "to make plain." Which is why remonstrate is a word that puts the glow of respectability on the action of yelling at someone or telling them that they're wrong. The sense is that the person remonstrating is the victim — they're just making the injustice plain.

Example Sentences

Remonstrate with your father, and increase the esteem of Ulrica, by wiping away tears, which flow from silent, genuine passion!

From The Mirror of Taste, and Dramatic Censor, Vol. I, No. 6, June 1810 by Carpenter, S. C. (Stephen Cullen)

Remonstrate with her; Come to an understanding, and, at once, If she repents her promise to be mine, Absolve her from it—and say farewell to her.

From The Hunchback by Morley, Henry