exhortatory

Exhortatory is an adjective describing language, discourse, or writing that urges, encourages, or admonishes someone to take a particular action or to adopt a belief. In rhetoric and composition, exhortatory passages aim to move audiences toward moral or practical action, often through appeals to duty, benefit, or emotion. The term is commonly used in religious sermons, political addresses, moral essays, and other exhortations that seek to prompt reform or compliance.

Originating from the verb exhort, via Latin exhortare and Old French influences, exhortatory conveys a sense of urging rather than simply informing. It is closely related to hortatory, and the two are often used interchangeably, though some writers draw a distinction: exhortatory emphasizes urging toward action, while hortatory stresses encouragement and achievement of a goal. In practice, exhortatory language may warn of consequences, commend virtues, or outline concrete steps to be taken. Examples include an exhortatory sermon urging repentance or a policy article employing exhortatory rhetoric to mobilize support.