exhort
What does "exhort" mean?
To exhort someone is to strongly encourage, urge, or earnestly advise them to do something. The mental image is that of a coach giving a fiery pep talk to their team before a big game, or a leader passionately pleading with their followers to take a specific course of action. This word is almost exclusively used in formal or serious contexts. You would rarely use it in casual conversation; instead of saying "I exhorted him to buy milk," you would say "I urged him to buy milk." It is most common in political speeches, religious sermons, or professional settings where someone is trying to inspire or demand a change in behavior.
"exhort" in conversation
Corporate meeting
We must exhort our team to prioritize innovation this quarter.
We must strongly urge our team to prioritize innovation this quarter.
I agree, the pressure is mounting.
I agree, the pressure is mounting.
Used here to emphasize a strong call to action in a business setting.
Sports locker room
I exhort you all to play with your hearts tonight!
I urge you all to play with your hearts tonight!
Let's do it!
Let's do it!
Adds a dramatic, high-stakes tone to the motivation.
"exhort" in a sentence
The teacher exhorted the students to study hard.
The teacher exhorted the students to study hard.
The activist exhorted the crowd to stand up for their rights.
The activist exhorted the crowd to stand up for their rights.
In his final address, the president exhorted the nation to embrace unity and reconciliation.
In his final address, the president exhorted the nation to embrace unity and reconciliation.
