exhort

Press with passion

To exhort is to strongly urge or encourage someone toward a course of action, often with moral fervor: The coach exhorted the team to give their all.

The word implies earnest, sometimes insistent persuasion—closer to impassioned appeal than simple suggestion.

Politicians exhort voters to defend democracy.

An exhortation is such an appeal.

preach

Deliver religious discourse

sermonizeSpeak with moral authority
moralizePontificate about ethics
evangelizeSpread religious doctrine actively

proselytize · lecture · pontificate · harangue · declaim · orate · hold forth · expound · proclaim

warn

Give notice of peril

cautionCareful attention to risk
admonishReprove with counsel
counselExpert guidance offered

advise · forewarn · alert · remonstrate · rebuke · reprove · chide · lecture · sermonize

urge

Strong inner drive

pressApply force downward
prodJab to spur action
goadIncite to action

spur · push · impel · prompt · pressure · drive · propel · compel · insist · demand

plead

implore

Urge with desperation

beseechPlead urgently with someone
entreatPlead urgently with someone
appealFormal review request

plead · supplicate · beg · importune · petition · invoke · adjure · pray · crave · solicit

encourage

Urge forward with support

inspireStir to action
motivateCause to act
rallyGathering for a cause

embolden · hearten · uplift · rouse · stir · animate · fire up · bolster · fortify · cheer on

persuade

Cause to believe

coaxPersuade by gentle urging
cajolePersuade through flattery
convinceCause to believe

influence · sway · prevail upon · talk into · win over · lobby · nudge · inveigle · wheedle · sweet-talk

exhort

preach

warn

urge

implore

encourage

persuade

exhort

Opposites

Categories

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