exhort
C1Formal
Definition
Meaning
To strongly urge or encourage someone to do something.
To earnestly and persistently advise, counsel, or try to persuade someone, often in a formal or public context.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Exhort implies a strong, often public or official, attempt to persuade someone toward a course of action, especially a moral or virtuous one. It carries a connotation of urgency and seriousness, lacking the coercive force of 'command' but stronger than 'advise'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage between British and American English.
Connotations
Equally formal and strong in both varieties.
Frequency
Slightly more common in formal religious, political, and oratorical contexts in both regions.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
to exhort someone to do somethingto exhort someone to somethingto exhort someone (direct object)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “preach and exhort”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used rarely, in formal communications from leadership to strongly urge adoption of a new strategy or practice.
Academic
Used in historical or sociological texts describing leaders motivating groups.
Everyday
Very rare; considered overly formal for most daily interactions.
Technical
Not used in technical fields like computing or engineering.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The prime minister exhorted the public to remain calm during the crisis.
- The vicar exhorted his congregation to charity.
American English
- The coach exhorted the team to give one final effort.
- Protest leaders exhorted the crowd to march peacefully.
adverb
British English
- No common adverbial form. 'Exhortingly' is possible but not standard.
American English
- No common adverbial form. 'Exhortingly' is possible but not standard.
adjective
British English
- No common adjectival form. 'Exhortative' exists but is extremely rare.
American English
- No common adjectival form. 'Exhortative' exists but is extremely rare.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The teacher exhorted the students to study harder.
- Environmental activists exhort governments to take immediate action on climate change.
- The general stood before his weary troops and exhorted them to hold the line, appealing to their honour and duty.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a leader giving an EX-HORTatory speech: they are EXiting (EX) their normal tone to HORT (like 'horticulture' - nurturing) their audience towards growth.
Conceptual Metaphor
SPEECH IS A FORCE APPLIED TO A RECIPIENT (e.g., 'He exhorted them into action').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid confusing with уговаривать (to persuade gently). 'Exhort' is closer to призывать or убеждать (strongly).
- Not a synonym for настаивать (to insist).
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect preposition: 'exhort *for* someone to do something' (correct: 'exhort someone to do something').
- Using it in informal contexts where 'urge' or 'tell' would be natural.
- Confusing pronunciation: mispronouncing the 'h' as silent (/ˈɛksɔːrt/).
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'exhort' correctly?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, 'exhort' is a formal word, most commonly encountered in written English, political speeches, sermons, or historical contexts.
The noun form is 'exhortation' (e.g., 'a passionate exhortation').
It is usually neutral to positive, urging towards a perceived good. However, it can be negative if the urging is seen as nagging or toward a bad end (e.g., 'He exhorted them to violence').
'Encourage' is general and can be gentle. 'Exhort' is stronger, more urgent, and more formal, often involving speech to a group.