rhetorically

[ ri-tawr-ik-lee, -tor- ]

adverb

1. in a way that uses language for style or effect:

   These essays discuss how the term participatory has been deployed rhetorically by a range of institutions.

2. not expecting an answer, either because the answer is unknowable or because it is obvious:

   I am not asking the question rhetorically or snidely.

3. in way that uses language in an exaggerated way:

   The realities of the global marketplace are quite apparent; they don't need to be rhetorically beaten to death.

4. in a way that uses specialized literary language, such as figures of speech:

   Some of the entries are concise, but most of them are verbally and rhetorically elaborate.

5. in a way that uses language particularly effectively:

   Her testimony was rhetorically strong, but scientifically weak.

6. using words, especially in the absence of action:

   He fails to demonstrate the validity of his claims, but merely asserts them rhetorically.

Other Word Forms

• non·rhe·tor·i·cal·ly adverb
• un·rhe·tor·i·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of rhetorically¹

rhetorical ( def ) + -ly

Example Sentences

"But really, do you have to travel hours and hours to see the stars the way they actually come through?" he asked rhetorically.

From Salon

"But the proof is in the pudding, and we will need to see if that position has changes substantively as well as rhetorically."

From BBC

That’s still devastating — but it also reveals the administration’s number to be 3 to 5 times higher than best-practice estimates, weaponized rhetorically to gut public health programs that have nothing to do with opioids.

From Salon

“Are they going to come and arrest him?” the adviser asked, rhetorically.

From Salon

"What are our guarantees that nothing like that will be allowed to happen," he asked rhetorically.

From BBC