Remonstrate

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

imp. & p. p. Remonstrated; p. pr. & vb. n. Remonstrating

1.
To point out; to show clearly; to make plain or manifest; hence, to prove; to demonstrate.[Obs.]
“I will remonstrate to you the third door.” — B. Jonson.

02 v. i. To present and urge reasons in opposition to an act, measure, or any course of proceedings; to expostulate; as, to remonstrate with a perso…

1.
To present and urge reasons in opposition to an act, measure, or any course of proceedings; to expostulate; as, to remonstrate with a person regarding his habits; to remonstrate against proposed taxation.
“It is proper business of a divine to state cases of conscience, and to remonstrate against any growing corruptions in practice, and especially in principles.” — Waterland.

Syn. Expostulate, Remonstrate.

These words are commonly interchangeable, the principal difference being that expostulate is now used especially to signify remonstrance by a superior or by one in authority. A son remonstrates against the harshness of a father; a father expostulates with his son on his waywardness. Subjects remonstrate with their rulers; sovereigns expostulate with the parliament or the people.