expostulatory
Americanadjective
Etymology
Origin of expostulatory
First recorded in 1580–90; expostulate + -ory 1
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The same tone is maintained from beginning to end, whether it be in expression of expostulatory defiance, love, joy, or despair.
From The Philippine Islands by Foreman, John
Prince tossed his head and gave an expostulatory amble.
From The Fortunes of the Farrells by Vaizey, George de Horne, Mrs.
They take all tones; they are passionate, tender, expostulatory, playful, dignified, lyric, didactic.
From A Century of English Essays An Anthology Ranging from Caxton to R. L. Stevenson & the Writers of Our Own Time by Rhys, Ernest
He could hear them talking, Rouminof's voice thick and expostulatory, Charley's even and clear.
From The Black Opal by Prichard, Katharine Susannah
But Bill knew Barber Sam and he had presence of mind enough to couch his expostulatory reply in the most obsequious terms.
From Second Book of Tales by Field, Eugene
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
