expostulate

He often stops on his way into and out of the proceedings, which cameras can’t film, to expostulate and to cast various developments as victories.

From Seattle Times ● Dec. 6, 2023

They have come out of their way to find a doctor—not for themselves but as a useful addendum to Sanditon’s delights, upon which Parker likes to expostulate, to the exclusion of every other theme:

From The New Yorker ● Mar. 5, 2017

Her fellow workers first expostulate and then copy her.

From The Guardian ● Feb. 10, 2013

Or ring their doorbell and expostulate in calm, well-reasoned tones.

From Time Magazine Archive

Why merely say something, when they can declare, assert, expostulate, announce, or asseverate it?

From "Woe Is I" by Patricia T. O'Conner

"I was born in a provincial town, in a family that had nothing to do with the world of journalists, politicians or bankers," he expostulated, clearly annoyed.

From BBC ● Apr. 19, 2022

Adam Smith, who expostulated the theory of the Invisible Hand in “The Wealth of Nations” in 1776, believed that most business was narrowly focused on reducing costs and improving quality.

From Washington Post ● Feb. 15, 2019

One theory, expostulated in this week’s edition of The Economist, suggests that he won’t.

From The New Yorker ● Sep. 11, 2015

"No chance with the Seekers' new single," expostulated John.

From The Guardian ● Dec. 24, 2012

"A life may hang in the balance, man!" expostulated Norton, longing to pommel the stubborn man.

From The Million Dollar Mystery Novelized from the Scenario of F. Lonergan by Harold MacGrath

He ran out of the house, down its long, curving driveway, and onto the sidewalk, still expostulating with the Almighty: “Lord, give me another chance…. Haven’t I brought happiness to anyone in this world?”

From The New Yorker ● Mar. 4, 2015

With Nixon vigorously expostulating and pointing his finger into the chest of the impassive Khrushchev, the contestants look like bickering clowns.

From New York Times ● Jun. 9, 2011

His chauffeur, volubly expostulating in Japanese, tried to save the situation.

From Time Magazine Archive

The Japanese captain was expostulating, firmly and in a dignified manner.

From Rounding up the Raider A Naval Story of the Great War by Percy F. (Percy Francis) Westerman

Here, evidently, the speaker, who has “come to die,” has been aroused by some “reverend sir,” who has been expostulating with him and uttering conventional phrases about the vanity of human life.

From Browning and the Dramatic Monologue by S. S. (Samuel Silas) Curry