An exhortation is a strong, earnest appeal urging someone to do something important or worthwhile. When a coach gives an inspiring speech before the championship game, encouraging the team to play their hardest and never give up, that's an exhortation. When a teacher passionately urges students to read more books and expand their minds, she's making an exhortation.

The word carries a sense of urgency and moral weight. An exhortation has force behind it: someone believes deeply that you should take action, and they're trying to motivate you to do it. A parent's exhortation to study hard comes from genuine concern for your future. A principal's exhortation to treat others with kindness reflects core values he wants the whole school to embrace.

You might find exhortations in speeches, sermons, or letters. Historical figures often wrote exhortations to inspire their followers during difficult times. The verb form is exhort: “The captain exhorted her crew to keep rowing through the storm.” While exhortations can feel intense, they usually come from people who genuinely want you to succeed or do the right thing.