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Exhortation Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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exhortation

[ษ›kหŒsษ”rหˆteษชสƒษ™n ]

Definition

Context #1 | Noun

speaking strongly

Exhortation refers to the act of urging someone to take a particular action or to make a commitment. It often conveys a sense of encouragement, motivation, or a strong appeal. This term is frequently used in contexts where a speaker is passionately trying to inspire or persuade their audience. Exhortation can also imply a moral or ethical encouragement to do something beneficial or necessary.

Synonyms

appeal, encouragement, persuasion, urging.

Examples of usage

  • The teacher's exhortation motivated the students to study harder.
  • During the meeting, the manager's exhortation inspired the team to exceed their targets.
  • The preacher's exhortation resonated with the congregation.
  • Her exhortation to volunteer was heartfelt and convincing.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Psychology

  • Exhortation can leverage social influence, motivating individuals toward behaviors based on peer encouragement.
  • The act of exhorting taps into the principle of commitment, where individuals feel compelled to align with previously stated intentions.
  • Research shows that positive exhortation can improve performance, especially in educational and athletic settings.

Literature

  • In classic literature, exhortation appears in speeches where characters encourage others to pursue noble or courageous deeds.
  • Famous works often contain exhortative speeches intended to inspire charactersโ€”or readersโ€”to action, such as those by Shakespeare.
  • Exhortative passages are ingredients in oratory, where rhetoric aims to persuade audiences effectively.

Religion

  • Many religious texts include exhortations to maintain faith, good behavior, and communal harmony among followers.
  • In Christianity, exhortation is a key aspect of pastoral care, encouraging congregants to live virtuous lives.
  • The prophetic books of the Bible often utilize exhortation to motivate people toward repentance and ethical living.

Pop Culture

  • Modern movies often depict characters giving exhortative speeches to rally others in times of crisis, like in sports or war films.
  • Social media influencers and motivational speakers frequently use exhortation to inspire followers to achieve their goals.
  • Songs aimed at empowerment often feature exhortative lyrics that encourage listeners to overcome challenges.

Origin of 'exhortation'

Main points about word origin

  • 'Exhortation' comes from the Latin word 'exhortationem', which means 'to urge strongly.'
  • The root 'hortari' means 'to incite' in Latin, signaling the act of encouraging or urging others.
  • It has been used in English since the late 14th century, often in religious or motivational contexts.

The word 'exhortation' comes from the Latin term 'exhortatio', which is derived from 'exhortari', meaning 'to encourage' or 'to urge on'. Its roots can be traced further back to the combination of 'ex-', meaning 'out' or 'from', and 'hortari', which means 'to urge' or 'to encourage'. The term has been used since the 14th century in English, primarily in contexts involving moral or religious urging. Historically, exhortation has been employed in literature, sermons, and speeches to rally people towards a cause or motivate them to take action, reflecting its strong connotations of urging and persuasion.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #16,140, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.