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; -ate ¹

Example Sentences

Despite its military prowess, Sparta lacked strategic depth; its king, Archidamus II, therefore urged his countrymen to remonstrate with the Athenians, to buy time while recruiting other distant powers to their side.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 17, 2025

Norway forward Haaland was one of several City players to remonstrate with Hooper.

From BBC • Dec. 12, 2023

Ten Hag appeared to accept he was wrong to remonstrate.

From Washington Times • Nov. 11, 2023

The article’s sensational headline read, “Raving Private Ryan! Tom Hanks and wife Rita Wilson remonstrate with a red carpet staffer as they attend the 76th Cannes Film Festival premiere of Asteroid City.”

From Los Angeles Times • May 24, 2023

We began to remonstrate; but he walked away, calling orders, and we heard Olakunde’s drum bidding us fall in.

From "The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume II: The Kingdom on the Waves" by M.T. Anderson