exhort

/ɛgˈzɔrt/
/ɛgˈzɔt/
IPA guide

Other forms: exhorted; exhorting; exhorts

French roots for the word exhort mean "thoroughly encourage," so to exhort is to fill up with encouragement! "When he heard the crowd exhort him with stomping and cheers, he knew that he could finish the marathon."

Some synonyms for exhort include stimulate, excite, and urge on. Words and shouts can exhort, and this is especially true when the recipient of those chants fears coming up short with an effort. Exhortations may make the difference between winning or losing and marching on or giving up. A sergeant might exhort his troops after a defeat just as a dad can exhort his daughter after a missed note during a piano recital.

Definitions of exhort
  1. verb
    spur on or encourage especially by cheers and shouts
    synonyms: barrack, cheer, inspire, pep up, root on, urge, urge on
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    types:
    cheerlead
    act as a cheerleader in a sports event
    type of:
    encourage
    inspire with confidence; give hope or courage to
  2. verb
    force or impel in an indicated direction
    synonyms: press, urge, urge on
    see moresee less
    types:
    show 6 types...
    hide 6 types...
    hurry, rush
    urge to an unnatural speed
    bear on, push
    press, drive, or impel (someone) to action or completion of an action
    advocate, preach
    speak, plead, or argue in favor of
    nudge
    push into action by pestering or annoying gently
    moralise, moralize, preachify, sermonise, sermonize
    speak as if delivering a sermon; express moral judgements
    bull, bull through
    push or force
    type of:
    advise, counsel, rede
    give advice to
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