remonstrate

Verb

remonstrate (third-person singular simple present remonstrates, present participle remonstrating, simple past and past participle remonstrated)

1. (intransitive) To object with in critical fashion; to express disapproval (with, against).
   • Whitshed, the Chief Justice, consistently with his action on a previous occasion (see volume vii.), angrily remonstrated with the jury, demanded of them their reasons for such a decision, and finally dissolved them.1724, The Drapier's Letters, Jonathan Swift, Letter 4
   • Following weeks of bitter protests by Chinese demonstrators remonstrating against Japanese wartime atrocities, Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi has moved to heal the rift between the two nations by apologizing for Japan’s World War II record.2005 April 26, Rich Bowden, “Japanese P.M. Apologizes for Wartime Aggression”, in World Press Review, archived from the original on 26 Mar 2024, retrieved 02 Aug 2010
2. (historical, intransitive) Specifically, to lodge an official objection (especially by means of a remonstrance) with a monarch or other ruling body.
   • In 1753-4, the Parlements of Aix, Bordeaux, Rennes and Rouen remonstrated in support of the exiled Paris institution.2002, Colin Jones, The Great Nation, Penguin, published 2003, page 233
3. (often, transitive) To state or plead as an objection, formal protest, or expression of disapproval.
   • "Belinda," remonstrated Mr. Pocket, from the other end of the table, "how can you be so unreasonable? […]"1860 December – 1861 August, Charles Dickens, chapter IV, in Great Expectations […], volume II, London: Chapman and Hall, […], published October 1861, →OCLC, page 69
   • In a recent column in The New York Times, William Safire referred to Mr. Morris as Ed. This prompted Mr. Morris to write "an open letter" to Mr. Safire remonstrating that, in his case, such usage "grates like sand in salad."1988 May 18, Martin Tolchin, Barbara Gamarekian, “What's in a Name?”, in New York Times, retrieved 02 Aug 2010
4. To point out; to show clearly; to make plain or manifest; hence, to prove; to demonstrate.
   • I might remonstrate how great, and how sure , and how persevering mercies a pious father of a family may derive upon his succeeding generations1651, Jer[emy] Taylor, “[XXVIII Sermons Preached at Golden Grove; Being for the Summer Half-year, […].] ”, in ΕΝΙΑΥΤΟΣ [Eniautos]. A Course of Sermons for All the Sundays of the Year. […], 2nd...
   • I will remonstrate to you the third dor.1600 (first performance), Beniamin Ionson [i.e., Ben Jonson], “Cynthias Reuels, or The Fountayne of Selfe-Loue. […]”, in The Workes of Beniamin Ionson (First Folio), London: […] Will[iam] Stansby...