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
Relevance
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of rhetoric
What good outcomes could this rhetoric possibly create?
—
Keith Wilson, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Oct. 2025
His bombastic style, unfiltered rhetoric, and policy disruptions galvanized the Republican base while triggering a seismic reaction among Democrats.
—Nafees Alam, Boston Herald, 18 Oct. 2025
Ogles has not condemned the rhetoric or called for those involved to resign.
—Vivian Jones, Nashville Tennessean, 17 Oct. 2025
China, by contrast, communicates through political rhetoric that obscures bureaucratic intent.
—Lizzi C. Lee, Time, 17 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rhetoric
Keith Wilson, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Oct. 2025
His bombastic style, unfiltered rhetoric, and policy disruptions galvanized the Republican base while triggering a seismic reaction among Democrats.
—Nafees Alam, Boston Herald, 18 Oct. 2025
Ogles has not condemned the rhetoric or called for those involved to resign.
—Vivian Jones, Nashville Tennessean, 17 Oct. 2025
China, by contrast, communicates through political rhetoric that obscures bureaucratic intent.
—Lizzi C. Lee, Time, 17 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rhetoric
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rhetoric
Noun
-
Wrap it with burlap or a tarp to protect it from chilly winds during cold spells.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
20 Oct. 2025
-
But that sort of external sexism toward a female president is not something viewers catch wind of in season three.—
Hilary Lewis,
HollywoodReporter,
20 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Five different stages will host live music, DJs, dance, poetry, and more.—
Lydia Mansel,
Southern Living,
18 Oct. 2025
-
Her poetry is nuanced, showing readers the multifacetedness of a Mexican-American family.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
17 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Lisha speaks nonsense — or is that because she is concussed?—
Andy Hoglund,
Entertainment Weekly,
19 Oct. 2025
-
Explaining exactly why this particular trend, like so many confounding memes and viral nonsense, will travel unbelievably far on the web, and elsewhere, is as easy as painting wind.—
Kevin Dolak,
HollywoodReporter,
16 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Hamas’ Government Media Office said 480 humanitarian aid trucks, including three with cooking gas and six with diesel fuel, entered Gaza on Wednesday.—
Lauren Kent,
CNN Money,
16 Oct. 2025
-
Butane, a flammable gas, cannot be shipped and is the only item omitted from this kit.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
16 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Hip-hop, jazz, and gospel didn’t merely rub elbows in his songs.—
Craig Jenkins,
Vulture,
15 Oct. 2025
-
The chords and arrangement carried a mixture of church/jazz/funk.—
Gil Kaufman,
Billboard,
15 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
Those blockbusters happen to an audience, flattening them with a bombast their living rooms can’t replicate.—
Robert Rubsam,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
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 22 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share