hortatory UK /ˈhɔːtətəɹi/US /ˈhɔɹtətɔɹi/noun 2adjective 1forms 3 noun2 •Exhortation or advice; incitement; encouragement. •That which exhorts, incites, or encourages. adjective1 •Giving exhortation or advice; encouraging.The words were ordinary enough, and to my mind there was in them something so hortatory that I almost smiled. — 1919 formshortatories · more hortatory · most hortatory