Remonstrative

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. Marked by a tendency to openly express dissent or objection to decisions or actions
2. Showing a strong inclination to voice disagreement or complaint about something considered unfair or wrong
3. Displaying a characteristic of arguing against or raising objections to certain actions or ideas

Etymology: "Remonstrative" is a plain formation: the adjective "remonstrative" is "remonstrate" with the suffix "-ive" added. The suffix comes from Latin "-ivus," which turns a verb into an adjective describing a tendency or quality, so "remonstrative" describes someone inclined to remonstrate. The verb it rests on is the more interesting part. "Remonstrate" comes from Medieval Latin "remonstrare," built from Latin "re-" (back, again) and "monstrare" (to show, point out), so the original sense was to demonstrate or point something out. Over time the idea of showing something to someone shifted toward presenting an objection, and English "remonstrate" came to mean to protest or argue against something. The adjective carries that sense of pushing back, which is why it suits a person who readily objects.

Synonyms: protesting, complaining

Antonyms: accepting, agreeable