exhort
Americanverb (used with object)
verb (used without object)
verb
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Conjugated Forms
Present
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have exhortedperfect
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has exhortedperfect 3rd person singular
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have been exhortingperfect progressive
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is exhortingprogressive 3rd person singular
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has been exhortingperfect progressive 3rd person singular
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am exhortingprogressive 1st person singular
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exhortssingular 3rd person
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exhortingparticiple
-
are exhortingprogressive
Past
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had exhortedperfect
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was exhortingprogressive singular
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were exhortingprogressive plural
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had been exhortingperfect progressive
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exhortedsimple
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exhortedparticiple
Future
Etymology
Origin of exhort
First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English ex(h)orte, from Latin exhortārī “to encourage greatly,” from ex- ex- 1 + hortārī “to encourage, urge”
Explanation
French roots for the word exhort mean "thoroughly encourage," so to exhort is to fill up with encouragement! "When he heard the crowd exhort him with stomping and cheers, he knew that he could finish the marathon." Some synonyms for exhort include stimulate, excite, and urge on. Words and shouts can exhort, and this is especially true when the recipient of those chants fears coming up short with an effort. Exhortations may make the difference between winning or losing and marching on or giving up. A sergeant might exhort his troops after a defeat just as a dad can exhort his daughter after a missed note during a piano recital.
Vocabulary lists containing exhort
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The Scarlet Letter
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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.
He has used his appearances and events by surrogates to exhort them to turn out.
From New York Times • Jan. 12, 2024
Now and again the band pauses as the musicians praise and exhort each other.
From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 18, 2023
Her story appeared in Chinese social media despite digital and human censors and prompted commentators to exhort national media to highlight the scandal.
From Seattle Times • Apr. 7, 2023
Psychologists understand that the quickest way to understanding someone is through their wounds, and musicians too understand this power of music to comfort, console, encourage and exhort themselves and other broken hearts.
From Salon • Nov. 25, 2022
They may exhort potential customers to “Compare Our Prices! ” but they’re not eager to have workers do the same with wages.
From "Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America" by Barbara Ehrenreich
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.
