Standard Lemma guide

remonstrate

verb · 7 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • UK, US: /ˈɹɛ.mən.stɹeɪt/
  • US: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • Australia: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.

1

verb

Meaning 1

To object with in critical fashion; to express disapproval (with, against).

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: intransitive

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

Specifically, to lodge an official objection (especially by means of a remonstrance) with a monarch or other ruling body.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: historical, intransitive

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

To state or plead as an objection, formal protest, or expression of disapproval.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: often, transitive

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

verb

Meaning 4

To point out; to show clearly; to make plain or manifest; hence, to prove; to demonstrate.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

5

verb

Meaning 5

censure severely or angrily

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • The mother scolded the child for entering a stranger's car
  • The deputy ragged the Prime Minister
  • The customer dressed down the waiter for bringing cold soup

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: call on the carpet, take to task, rebuke, rag, trounce, reproof, lecture, reprimand, jaw, dress down, call down, scold, chide, berate, bawl out, chew out, chew up, have words, lambaste, lambast

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: knock, criticize, criticise, pick apart

Narrower terms: chastise, castigate, objurgate, chasten, correct, tell off, brush down

6

verb

Meaning 6

argue in protest or opposition

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: object

7

verb

Meaning 7

present and urge reasons in opposition

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: point out

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: inform

Narrower terms: represent

History

Etymology

From (the participle stem of) Late Latin remōnstrō, from Latin re- + mōnstrō.

Across languages

Translations

23 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Bulgarian: протестирам (protestiram) — intransitive - to object or protest
  • Bulgarian: възразявам (vǎzrazjavam) — intransitive - to object or protest
  • Dutch: protesteren — intransitive - to object or protest
  • German: protestieren — intransitive - to object or protest
  • German: missbilligen — intransitive - to object or protest
  • German: einwenden — intransitive - to object or protest
  • Greek: διαμαρτύρομαι (diamartýromai) — intransitive - to object or protest
  • Māori: whakatāmaramara — intransitive - to object or protest
  • Polish: protestować — intransitive - to object or protest
  • Polish: zaprotestować — intransitive - to object or protest
  • Russian: протестова́ть (protestovátʹ) — intransitive - to object or protest
  • Russian: возража́ть (vozražátʹ) — intransitive - to object or protest
  • Spanish: quejarse — intransitive - to object or protest
  • Dutch: klacht neerleggen — (historical) to lodge an official objection
  • German: remonstrieren — (historical) to lodge an official objection
  • German: protestieren — transitive - to state as a protest or expression of disapproval
  • German: missbilligen — transitive - to state as a protest or expression of disapproval
  • Greek: διαμαρτύρομαι (diamartýromai) — transitive - to state as a protest or expression of disapproval
  • Polish: protestować — transitive - to state as a protest or expression of disapproval
  • Polish: zaprotestować — transitive - to state as a protest or expression of disapproval
  • Russian: протестова́ть (protestovátʹ) — transitive - to state as a protest or expression of disapproval
  • Russian: возража́ть (vozražátʹ) — transitive - to state as a protest or expression of disapproval
  • Dutch: bewijzen — transitive - to prove