Definition

Adjective: - Giving strong encouragement; serving to urge, advise, or earnestly persuade someone to take a course of action.

Usage

The word "exhortative" is used to describe language, a tone, or a message that is intended to strongly encourage or urge someone. It is a formal term often applied to speeches, appeals, or written texts.

Examples

• The coach gave an exhortative pep talk to motivate the team before the championship game.
• Her speech was more exhortative than informative, filled with calls to action.
• The letter from the principal had an exhortative tone, urging parents to participate in school events.

Advanced Usage

• Exhortative Mood: In some linguistic analyses, this refers to a grammatical mood used for exhortation or strong encouragement, though it is not a standard mood in English grammar.
• Exhortative Function: Used in discourse analysis to describe the primary purpose of a communication, which is to urge or encourage.

Variants and Related Words

• Exhortatory (adjective): A direct synonym, identical in meaning to "exhortative."
• Exhort (verb): To strongly encourage or urge someone to do something.
  • The leader exhorted the crowd to remain peaceful.
• Exhortation (noun): The act of exhorting; language intended to incite or encourage.
  • His words were an exhortation to bravery.

Synonyms

• Hortatory: Tending or aiming to exhort.
• Encouraging: Giving support, confidence, or hope.
• Advisory: Having the function of giving advice.
• Persuasive: Good at persuading someone to do or believe something.

Antonyms

• Discouraging: Causing someone to lose confidence or enthusiasm.
• Dissuasive: Intended to persuade someone not to take a particular course of action.
• Uninspiring: Not producing excitement or interest.

Related Phrases and Idioms

(Note: "Exhortative" itself is not commonly used in fixed idioms. The related verb "exhort" is used in more formal or rhetorical contexts.) - To exhort someone to (do something): The standard construction using the related verb. - The minister exhorted the congregation to charity.

Adjective

1. giving strong encouragement