rhetorical question

[ ri-tawr-i-kuhl kwes-chuhn, -tor- ]

noun

, Rhetoric.

1. a question asked solely to produce an effect or to make an assertion of affirmation or denial and not to elicit a reply, as “Has there ever been a more perfect day for a picnic?” or “Are you out of your mind?”

rhetorical question

noun

1. a question to which no answer is required: used esp for dramatic effect. An example is Who knows? (with the implication Nobody knows )

rhetorical question

1. A question posed without expectation of an answer but merely as a way of making a point: “You don't expect me to go along with that crazy scheme, do you?”

Word History and Origins

Origin of rhetorical question¹

First recorded in 1835–45

Idioms and Phrases

A question asked without expecting an answer but for the sake of emphasis or effect. The expected answer is usually “yes” or “no.” For example, Can we improve the quality of our work? That's a rhetorical question . [Late 1800s]

Example Sentences

That sounds like a rhetorical question, but I mean it quite literally as a question.

From The Daily Beast

Instead, Burkman asked a rhetorical question, “Do I want to enter a business of prescribing what is indecent?”

From The Daily Beast

He then posed a rhetorical question that has become a rallying cry of the NRA.

From The Daily Beast

Carlisle perceived a rhetorical question, though she didn't know it under that name; she made no reply.

From Project Gutenberg

It is a rhetorical question purely, but she does not want to play.

From Project Gutenberg

Hush, Charles; it's a rhetorical question; he wants to answer it himself.

From Project Gutenberg

He emitted a tremulous sigh before answering his own rhetorical question.

From Project Gutenberg

For a moment he was pulled up, when to his rhetorical question, "What has Home Rule meant to us?"

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• comment
• explanation
• feedback
• interpretation
• justification
• key
• observation
• rebuttal
• remark
• report
• resolution
• response
• result
• return
• sign
• solution
• statement