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rhetorical
[ ri-tawr-i-kuhl, -tor- ]
adjective
- used for, belonging to, or concerned with mere style or effect, rather than truth, substance, or meaning:
Her bold and ingenious analogies, although engaging, are purely rhetorical, adding nothing to our understanding of the issue.
Synonyms: oratorical, stylistic, verbal
- marked by or tending to use exaggerated language or bombast:
Fortunately, the rebel leaders did not have the military power to follow through on their fiery rhetorical eruptions.
- of, relating to, or concerned with rhetoric, or the skillful use of language to persuade people:
She had spent hours with her advisors discussing rhetorical strategy, and now it was time to deliver the speech.
- of, relating to, or in reference to a rhetorical question:
No need to respond—that was rhetorical.
rhetorical
/ rɪˈtɒrɪkəl /
adjective
- concerned with effect or style rather than content or meaning; bombastic
- of or relating to rhetoric or oratory
Derived Forms
- rheˈtorically, adverb
Other Words From
- rhe·tor·i·cal·ly adverb
- rhe·tor·i·cal·ness noun
- non·rhe·tor·i·cal adjective
- un·rhe·tor·i·cal adjective
Word History and Origins
Origin of rhetorical1
Example Sentences
When he eventually explodes into thinking, delivering a monologue of disordered intellectual half-thoughts and rhetorical tics, the stage convulses in Lewis Carroll absurdity.
Trump has always used propaganda and rhetorical tricks effectively.
They enter this curious and claustrophobic home only when Mr. Reed promises his wife is baking a pie in the other room, but he draws them into his labyrinth using false promises and rhetorical exercises.
That includes a continued public insistence that he did not lose the 2020 election, extended rhetorical diversions during rally speeches and last-minute cancellations of media appearances that some have attributed to “exhaustion”.
Biden, who has always had a stutter, has clearly lost an additional step in his rhetorical powers in recent years.
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