remonstrate

IPA/ˈremənstreɪt/
IPA/rɪˈmɑːnstreɪt/

remonstrate — verb

  • remonstratepresent simple I / you / we / they
  • remonstrateshe / she / it
  • remonstratedpast simple
  • remonstrating-ing form

1. To earnestly express strong disagreement or disapproval to someone about somethi

1.verbintransitiveC1
Definition

To earnestly express strong disagreement or disapproval to someone about something they have said or done, usually in a respectful tone and with the aim of persuading them to change their mind or action.

Example

Sivan gently remonstrated with her mother about the decision to sell the family home.

remonstrate + with + person + about + thing

After the council meeting, residents remonstrated against the plan to build a new parking garage.

remonstrate + against + thing

Common collocations
  • remonstrate with
  • remonstrate against
  • remonstrate about
  • gently remonstrate
  • firmly remonstrate
  • publicly remonstrate
Synonyms
  • protest

    Broader and more general; can be used in both formal and informal contexts, and does not necessarily imply a reasoned or respectful tone.

  • object

    Slightly less formal; often used for raising a specific, reasoned opposition to a particular point or proposal.

  • expostulate

    A very close synonym but even rarer in modern English; often implies a more urgent or pleading tone.

  • complain

    Less formal and more common; expresses dissatisfaction or annoyance without the earnest, persuasive intent that 'remonstrate' carries.

Antonyms
  • acquiesce

    To accept something reluctantly without voicing opposition — the opposite of actively objecting.

  • approve

    To express a positive view or agreement, in contrast to expressing disagreement.

Grammar Patterns

remonstrate + with + person + about/over + thing

remonstrate + against + thing

remonstrate + that-clause

Usage Note

Formal verb strongly associated with written or formal spoken registers (debates, academic writing, diplomatic contexts). The person being addressed is introduced by 'with'; the subject of the objection by 'about', 'over', or 'against'. Avoid using this word in casual conversation, where 'complain to' or 'object to' are more natural alternatives.

Common Mistakes

I remonstrated him about the noise.
I remonstrated with him about the noise.
'remonstrate' requires the preposition 'with' before the person you are addressing.
She remonstrated the committee's decision.
She remonstrated against the committee's decision.
When objecting to a thing rather than a person, use 'against'.

Word family

  • remonstrance
    nounC2
  • remonstration
    nounC2
  • remonstrative
    adjectiveC2
  • remonstrant
    adjectiveC2

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

Protest is the broadest term — it works in both formal and informal settings for any expression of disagreement, from street marches to policy objections. Object is more formal and suggests a specific, reasoned objection to a particular point or proposal. Remonstrate is the most formal of the four; it implies earnestly presenting reasons against someone's actions with the intent to persuade them to change. Complain is far less formal and suggests expressing dissatisfaction without necessarily aiming to produce change — it can feel petty where remonstrate feels principled. Expostulate is a very close synonym but even rarer, often carrying a more urgent or pleading tone. For example: union members protested the pay cut; she objected on legal grounds; he remonstrated with the committee about the unfair procedure; staff complained the office was too cold; she expostulated about the dangers of the plan.

protest ↗object ↗complain ↗expostulate ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • at great length
  • in strong terms
  • on moral grounds

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinEnglish

From Latin remonstrare, a combination of the prefix re- ('again, back') and monstrare ('to show, point out'). The word originally carried the literal sense of 'to point out again' but later developed the figurative meaning of earnestly showing reasons against an action or argument. It is related to demonstrate and monster (both from monstrare) and entered English through earlier French influence in the 16th century.

First known use

1615

1615, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense