Meaning and Use of Remonstrance | Generated by AI
Question: What does “remonstrance” mean?
Answer:
Remonstrance (noun) means:
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A forceful protest, strong objection, or formal expression of opposition and disapproval.
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An earnest or urgent protest; an act of remonstrating (reasoning with someone in protest or complaint).
It is most commonly used in formal, serious, or somewhat old-fashioned English to describe a strong verbal or written objection, often when someone is trying to persuade another person to change their behavior, decision, or course of action.
Common patterns and examples
-
make a remonstrance / present a remonstrance
→ The ambassador made a strong remonstrance to the foreign ministry about the border violation. -
in spite of remonstrance / despite remonstrance
→ He continued the dangerous experiment despite the scientists’ remonstrances. -
remonstrance against something
→ Parents sent a collective remonstrance against the proposed school uniform policy.
Synonyms (depending on context):
- protest
- objection
- complaint
- rebuke
- admonition
- expostulation (very close in meaning and slightly more formal/old-fashioned)
Antonyms:
- approval
- acquiescence
- acceptance
The word comes from Latin remonstrāre = “to demonstrate, show again” → “to point out firmly / to protest”.
References:
- None (standard English dictionary definition)