expostulate /ɪkˈspɒstjʊˌleɪt/ (expostulating,expostulated,expostulates)

• 1.  

  V-T/V-I（及物动词/不及物动词） 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。”