noun

exhortation

eg-zor-TAY-shun/ˌeɡzɔːrˈteɪʃn/

An urgent appeal or strong encouragement to act.

The volunteer's exhortation encourages his exhausted teammate to lift another sandbag.

Beside a leaking sandbag barrier, a volunteer visibly rallies an exhausted teammate: he leans toward her with an emphatic speaking expression, a raised clenched fist of encouragement, and an open hand beckoning her onward as she grips the next bag.

Etymology

exLatinthoroughly

+hortLatinencourage, urge

+ationLatinaction

The pieces express emphatic urging or encouragement. The noun came to name not just the act of urging someone to act, but also the appeal or speech used to do so.

In context

Everflowing Life Ministries3:57

While encouragement often feels gentle and uplifting, exhortation carries a stronger tone. It's a loving call to action or an urgent plea to stay faithful or a warning against drifting.

Called Alongside - Exhortation and the Call To Action

More examples

Her exhortation to vote brings more neighbors to the polls.
Despite repeated exhortations to slow down, drivers still speed here.
The speech ends with an exhortation to help families in need.

Forms

exhortation · exhortations

exhort verb — To urge someone strongly to act.

Similar words

encouragement: Encouragement can offer gentle support without pressing for action.
appeal: Appeal emphasizes a request rather than encouragement to act.
plea: Plea stresses an earnest request, often arising from distress.