The Collaborative International Dictionary
Expostulate \Ex*pos"tu*late\ (?; 135), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Expostulated; p. pr. & vb. n. Expostulating.] [L. expostulatus, p. p. of expostulare to demand vehemently; ex out + postulare to ask, require. See Postulate.] To reason earnestly with a person on some impropriety of his conduct, representing the wrong he has done or intends, and urging him to make redress or to desist; to remonstrate; -- followed by with.
Men expostulate with erring friends; they bring
accusations against enemies who have done them a wrong.
--Jowett
(Thuc. ).
Syn: To remonstrate; reason. See Remonstrate.
Wiktionary
vb. (present participle of expostulate English)
Usage examples of "expostulating".
She was slight of build and limping badlyshe had lost a shoe somewhere-but still half-running, supported on one side by Murdo Lindsay, who seemed to be expostulating with her even as he helped her along.
Louise’s high, agitated voice went on, expostulating and questioning, punctuated by the coachman’s attempts to explain or apologize, but I paid no attention.