expostulatory

Also ex·pos·tu·la·tive

[ik-spos-chuh-luh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee]

adjective

1. expostulating; conveying expostulation.

Word History and Origins

Origin of expostulatory¹

First recorded in 1580–90; expostulate + -ory ¹

Example Sentences

I drew Joe away, and he immediately became placable; merely stating to me, in an obliging manner and as a polite expostulatory notice to any one whom it might happen to concern, that he were not a-going to be bull-baited and badgered in his own place.

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Nadia Fall's production, her debut at the National, shows the play's qualities almost in spite of itself: Peter McKintosh's design has the right prosperous burnish but nearly everyone is too slow, too expostulatory, too waggingly grey-bearded.

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I wrote him an expostulatory letter, which evidently made no impression at all, and which he possibly might send you if you had the curiosity to apply.

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The "expostulatory" letter to Professor Leuba began with a series of objections to statements which he had made, and continued with the passage which follows.

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A third expostulatory epistle was forwarded, and a certain individual received an anonymous reply, saying, "Things were changed; times were altered; and it was impossible that Mr. Canning could serve the king and the cause of the person so much disliked by his majesty!"

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