to remonstrate

Examples

• All

• Board members silently remonstrate with him as he tries to wrench it open.

  Fiction book (1994)

• I remonstrated with him, your lord, and he replied, "Keep it quiet."

  Bloom (2003)

• Should all human beings born before that time remonstrate against their parents for leaving them in such circumstances?

  Blog text (5)

• The display went blank just as he seemed about to remonstrate.

  Fiction book (1990)

• I remonstrate against these outrages upon reason and truth, of course, but it does no good.

  Academic text (1997)

• King Jerome lifted his hand when she would have continued to remonstrate him.

  Fiction book (1999)

• "Now, you know you wouldn't," she said, as if remonstrating with a child.

  Fiction book (1992)

• At this moment, his highest subordinates strongly remonstrated against him.

  Academic text (1990)

• Such statements made the other wives even angrier, and the ministers tried to remonstrate with the king, but he wouldn't even listen.

  Fiction book (1996)

• She decided to remonstrate with the manager about the poor service at the restaurant.

Synonyms

A

to argue

vsto remonstrate

607 1.1

To speak angrily with someone because you disagree

focuses more on objecting and protesting rather than simply arguing angrily

P

to protest

vsto remonstrate

93 2.8

To say firmly that you are not guilty

is more about arguing or confronting someone rather than official declaration

L

to lecture

vsto remonstrate

89 4.6

To give someone a long serious talk that warns or scolds them about what they did

is focused on opposing or arguing rather than lengthy moral instruction

D

to demonstrate

vsto remonstrate

74 3.2

Join a public protest to show strong opposition

is verbal arguing or objecting rather than organized public demonstration

S

to scold

vsto remonstrate

55 2.2

Speak angrily to someone who has done something wrong

is aimed at arguing or objecting rather than severe personal rebuke

P

to protest against

vsto remonstrate

40 3.6

To show in public that you strongly disagree with something

is the act of arguing or objecting directly rather than formal declaration

B

to berate

vsto remonstrate

36 7.2

Scold someone angrily and severely

is about objecting and arguing rather than prolonged angry criticism

R

to reprimand

vsto remonstrate

• Formal

33 6.1

To tell someone they did something wrong, usually by a person in charge

is less formal and more about arguing or protesting directly

R

to rebuke

vsto remonstrate

• Formal

26 6.9

To tell someone firmly that you do not approve of their actions

is about arguing a strong objection rather than issuing an official censure

C

to chide

vsto remonstrate

22 7.0

Tell someone you are unhappy with what they did

is stronger, being an active and forceful objection rather than gentle rebuke

T

to take to task

vsto remonstrate

18 6.3

To scold someone strongly for a mistake

is focused on voicing objections or arguing rather than punishing someone

C

to chew out

vsto remonstrate

• Informal

13 7.0

Scold someone angrily in front of others

is more about stating objections or arguing rather than angry rebuke

L

to lambast

vsto remonstrate

12 8.2

To criticize someone very strongly and angrily

is about stating objections or arguing rather than delivering angry attacks

V

to voice concern

vsto remonstrate

• Formal

7 3.9

Speak in public to say you are worried about something

is stronger and more active, arguing the objection rather than merely noting it

R

to reprove

vsto remonstrate

5 7.3

Tell someone gently that what they did was wrong

is firmer and more forceful, aiming to argue or protest strongly

D

to demur

vsto remonstrate

• Formal

3 8.9

Show that you disagree or are unwilling, often for legal and moral reasons

is stronger, actively arguing the objection rather than merely hesitating

C

to call on the carpet

vsto remonstrate

• Archaic

3 7.9

To tell someone strongly that they have done something wrong, often in front of others

is about arguing or protesting directly rather than formal disciplinary action

D

to dress down

vsto remonstrate

• Informal

3 6.3

To angrily tell someone they did something wrong

is more about arguing a point or objecting than correcting behaviour

R

to raise a stink

vsto remonstrate

2 7.4

To complain loudly and make people notice the problem

is more about arguing objections in words rather than noisy protest

C

to chew up

vsto remonstrate

• Informal

2 7.1

To scold someone angrily and severely

focuses on arguing or protesting rather than delivering harsh censure

F

to fulminate

vsto remonstrate

• Formal

1 9.0

To speak or write very angrily against something to show strong criticism

is similar but focuses on arguing or objecting rather than loud denunciation

E

to expostulate

vsto remonstrate

• Formal

1 9.7

To disagree strongly with someone to try to stop them

is broader, covering objection or protest not only persuasion

L

to lambaste

vsto remonstrate

1 8.0

To criticize someone or something very strongly in public

is objection or argument aimed at persuasion rather than harsh public attack

R

to reprehend

vsto remonstrate

• Formal

1 9.4

Tell someone firmly that their actions are wrong

is focused on arguing or objecting rather than mainly judging behaviour

C

to call down

vsto remonstrate

• Informal

1 6.8

Tell someone angrily that they did something wrong

is more about verbal objection and argument rather than angry rebuke

V

to voice a grievance

vsto remonstrate

• Formal

6.3

To express a complaint or concern, often publicly

is more active argument or protest aimed to change opinion or action

D

to demur at

vsto remonstrate

• Formal

8.8

To show you are unsure or do not agree about something

is more forceful, actively arguing or protesting rather than cautious objection

R

to reprobate

vsto remonstrate

• Literature

9.4

To say strongly that someone or something is wrong

is more conversational or argumentative rather than formal condemnation

B

to bawl out

vsto remonstrate

• Informal

6.7

Shout loudly at someone because they did something wrong

is about arguing or objecting rather than loud personal chastisement

Antonyms

A

to accept

793 1.0

To take something someone offers, for example a gift or invitation

E

to endorse

183 4.2

To publicly show support for a person or idea

How Forceful

to denounce

• Formal

115 6.8

to protest

283 3.2

to remonstrate

• Formal

1 8.5

to object

349 5.1

to complain

∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

Etymology