exhortation

Everyday

1. (formal) An exhortation is a strong, serious request or speech that urges people to do something. tree →
2. (church) In some church services, an exhortation is a short talk encouraging the people to live well or to prepare for prayer or communion. tree →

In the lessons

Found in formal writing, history and religion: a general gives an exhortation to the troops before battle; a preacher gives an exhortation to the congregation. In everyday life, a coach's or parent's «exhortations» are their repeated urgings. Phrases: «an exhortation to», «despite all exhortations».

Examples

• The general's exhortation filled the soldiers with courage. tree →
• Despite the teacher's exhortations, nobody tidied up. tree →
• The preacher ended with an exhortation to love one another. tree →
• Posters carried exhortations to save water. tree →
• The coach shouted exhortations from the side of the pitch. tree →
• Paul's letters are full of exhortations to be kind and patient. tree →

Note

Formal. Verb: exhort (to urge strongly). Say «eg-zor-TAY-shun»; the h is silent.