1
as in wind
language that is impressive-sounding but not meaningful or sincere
the mayor's promise to fight drugs was just rhetoric, since there was no money in the city budget for a drug program
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in poetry
the art or power of speaking or writing in a forceful and convincing way
great leaders have often been masters of rhetoric, which they have used for both good and ill
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of rhetoric
For many of Modi’s supporters, Mamdani’s rhetoric is seen as a malicious attack on the country’s majority religion.
—
Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 7 Nov. 2025
But, while the tariffs are one thing, some believe the rhetoric from the White House has added gas to the fire.
—Dave Gordon, The Washington Examiner, 7 Nov. 2025
One year later, that same propaganda fell flat with voters in numerous key races — rejections not only of the GOP’s virulent transphobia, but rhetoric from centrist Democrats who blamed trans rights issues for the party’s losses.
—Samantha Riedel, Them., 6 Nov. 2025
Yet when this episode begins with Garfield shifting into campaign mode, he’s immediately confronted by forces that challenge the idealism of his rhetoric.
—Scott Tobias, Vulture, 6 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rhetoric
Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 7 Nov. 2025
But, while the tariffs are one thing, some believe the rhetoric from the White House has added gas to the fire.
—Dave Gordon, The Washington Examiner, 7 Nov. 2025
One year later, that same propaganda fell flat with voters in numerous key races — rejections not only of the GOP’s virulent transphobia, but rhetoric from centrist Democrats who blamed trans rights issues for the party’s losses.
—Samantha Riedel, Them., 6 Nov. 2025
Yet when this episode begins with Garfield shifting into campaign mode, he’s immediately confronted by forces that challenge the idealism of his rhetoric.
—Scott Tobias, Vulture, 6 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rhetoric
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rhetoric
Noun
-
Stay away from windows as flying debris generated by damaging winds can be deadly.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Nov. 2025
-
Engineering a circular blade lifecycle Despite the expansion in wind energy, major challenges remain primarily related to the design and manufacture of wind turbine blades.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
MaKshya Tolbert practices poetry and placemaking in Virginia, where her grandmother raised her.—
MaKshya Tolbert,
Literary Hub,
7 Nov. 2025
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Paniagua Guzman and other researchers have reviewed literature showing that poetry interventions open a path to self-expression for those living with dementia and their caregivers, giving them agency as well as opportunities to connect with others.—
Holly J. McDede,
CNN Money,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Crucially, the eggs were fittingly fluffy, none of that rubbery nonsense that plague lesser burrito slingers.—
Brock Keeling,
Oc Register,
6 Nov. 2025
-
All’s Fair is girlboss nonsense.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
5 Nov. 2025
Noun
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The color of the light depends on the type of gas and the amount of energy released.—
Shane Croucher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
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Similarly, clean firm power sources such as nuclear, geothermal, and gas power with carbon capture, are experiencing tailwinds both from policy and from rising demand from data centers.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
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The photographers include William Gottlieb, whose historic jazz photo collection is now at the Library of Congress; Chuck Stewart, a prolific jazz photographer; Milt Hinton, a jazz bassist who documented jazz culture from the inside; and Parks, whose work appears throughout the exhibition.—
Amy Carleton,
Charlotte Observer,
5 Nov. 2025
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Visit Rua do Ouvidor, a historic street downtown, for live samba on Saturdays, or head to Blue Note Rio for jazz.—
Carolina Abbott Galvão,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Known for his extraordinary oratory skills, everyone who has been around Levy has a story to tell about his Marvisms and motivational speeches.—
Tim Graham,
New York Times,
1 Aug. 2025
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Her brand at the time was something like the Obama of the antipodes: a liberal media darling, icon of the global anti-Trump resistance, transitioning smoothly from lofty oratory to easygoing relatability.—
Andrew Marantz,
New Yorker,
9 June 2025
Noun
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As ever, beneath the bombast, the true picture is more nuanced.—
Chris Weatherspoon,
New York Times,
3 Nov. 2025
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The Townshend-esque vibe is much stronger on Argent's original version of this song, but Kiss' reinvention is a vast improvement, weeding out the prog-rock bombast while venturing into Mott the Hoople territory.—
Ed Masley,
AZCentral.com,
17 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Freed of the architectural fustian of the Frick’s Gilded Age home, the art breathes anew, each painting in its own world rather than entwined with others as part of a decorative ensemble.—
Philip Kennicott,
Washington Post,
6 June 2023
Cite this Entry
“Rhetoric.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rhetoric. Accessed 11 Nov. 2025.
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