What does hortatory mean?
Hortatory is a formal adjective describing words, remarks, or other forms of expression that urge or encourage people to act. It is especially appropriate for a speech, address, or set of admonitory remarks intended to inspire, warn, or persuade an audience. The word is relatively uncommon in everyday conversation and may sound ceremonious or elevated, particularly in British and American formal prose. Its force generally lies in the idea of speaking expressly to urge or exhort, rather than merely informing. A hortatory speech might urge listeners to show greater determination, consider an ethical question, or support a worthy cause. Although “exhortative” can express a similar idea, “hortatory” is especially associated with the character or purpose of a statement rather than with a direct act of urging.
adjectiveRelating to or intended to exhort, encourage, or urge. The word is formal and relatively uncommon.
- Serving to urge, encourage, or exhort.
"The chairman made a few hortatory remarks before the closing discussion."
"The speech ended with a hortatory appeal to the audience."
"Rather than dismissing the criticism, the minister made some brief hortatory remarks."
Hortatory may sound formal, but its relatives are familiar: the word belongs to the same family as “exhort” and “exhortation.”
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of hortatory
The word derives from the Latin adjective hortatorius, meaning “of or relating to an exhorter.” This in turn relates to hortator, “one who urges or exhorts,” and to the Latin verb hortari, “to urge.” The same Latin root also underlies English words such as “exhort,” “exhortation,” and “exhortative.”
How hortatory is actually used
This is a formal, literary word with a deliberately elevated tone. It is normally used for speech or remarks intended to encourage, admonish, or persuade.