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exhort

American  
[ig-zawrt] / ɪgˈzɔrt /

verb (used with object)

exhorts, present (3rd person singular) exhorted, past participle, past exhorting present participle
  1. to urge, advise, or caution earnestly; admonish urgently.

    Synonyms:
    goad, press, spur, encourage

verb (used without object)

exhorts, present (3rd person singular) exhorted, past participle, past exhorting present participle
  1. to give urgent advice, recommendations, or warnings.

    Synonyms:
    goad, press, spur, encourage
exhort British  
/ ɪɡˈzɔːtətɪv, ɪɡˈzɔːt /

verb

  1. to urge or persuade (someone) earnestly; advise strongly

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

Etymology

Origin of exhort

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English ex(h)orte, from Latin exhortārī “to encourage greatly,” from ex- ex- 1 + hortārī “to encourage, urge”

Explanation

French roots for the word exhort mean "thoroughly encourage," so to exhort is to fill up with encouragement! "When he heard the crowd exhort him with stomping and cheers, he knew that he could finish the marathon." Some synonyms for exhort include stimulate, excite, and urge on. Words and shouts can exhort, and this is especially true when the recipient of those chants fears coming up short with an effort. Exhortations may make the difference between winning or losing and marching on or giving up. A sergeant might exhort his troops after a defeat just as a dad can exhort his daughter after a missed note during a piano recital.

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