expostulate /ɪkˈspɒstjʊˌleɪt/ ( expostulating, expostulated, expostulates )

• 1. 

  V-T/V-I If you expostulate, you express strong disagreement with someone. 反驳; 争辩 [正式]

  例：

  "For heaven's sake!" Dot expostulated. "They're cheap and they're useful."

  “看在老天的份上！”多特反驳道。“他们便宜而且他们有用。”

  例：

  For a moment I thought she was going to expostulate.

  我一度认为她要争辩。

  例：

  His family expostulated with him.

  他的家人反驳他。