exhortation
6 synonyms for exhortation, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A strong, urgent piece of encouragement or advice, especially one meant to spur someone into action.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use exhortation
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
repeated exhortations
exhortations to action
despite exhortations
moral exhortation
Formal; common in political, religious and sporting contexts.
Etymology
From Latin exhortatio, from exhortari ('to encourage strongly'), from ex- (intensifier) plus hortari ('to urge').
Full origin of exhortation →Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between an exhortation and a command?
A command demands compliance and usually carries authority and consequences. An exhortation urges and appeals, relying on persuasion and moral force rather than power, so the listener remains free to ignore it.
Is an exhortation positive or negative?
Usually positive: it pushes someone towards doing something good or necessary. When the emphasis is on warning against a fault, 'admonition' or 'reproach' is the better word.
What is the verb form of 'exhortation'?
'Exhort', pronounced eg-ZORT with a silent 'h'. You exhort someone to do something: 'She exhorted them to keep going.'
