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
The one that keeps flashing in my mind in the current call to ratchet down the incendiary rhetoric was Don Jr’s reaction to the near-fatal 2022 home invasion attack on Paul Pelosi, husband of then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA).
—
Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 30 Apr. 2026
That is exactly what this film cleverly does — pinpoints the insidious nature of far-right movements and the creeping rhetoric that has polluted our society.
—Alex Ritman, Variety, 30 Apr. 2026
Political rhetoric has become much more divisive and violent in nature.
—James Piazza, Twin Cities, 30 Apr. 2026
With the broader rise in anti-immigrant rhetoric, such claims warrant systematic examination.
—Sarah Mohiuddin, STAT, 30 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rhetoric
Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 30 Apr. 2026
That is exactly what this film cleverly does — pinpoints the insidious nature of far-right movements and the creeping rhetoric that has polluted our society.
—Alex Ritman, Variety, 30 Apr. 2026
Political rhetoric has become much more divisive and violent in nature.
—James Piazza, Twin Cities, 30 Apr. 2026
With the broader rise in anti-immigrant rhetoric, such claims warrant systematic examination.
—Sarah Mohiuddin, STAT, 30 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rhetoric
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rhetoric
Noun
-
With winds becoming light, expect temperatures to cool into the 30s by Saturday morning.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
1 May 2026
-
Trim trees, remove dead branches, secure outdoor furniture, grills and anything that could become airborne in high winds.—
Brandi D. Addison,
USA Today,
1 May 2026
Noun
-
Similarly, the cast wrings some poetry out of the prosaic, often aphoristic dialogue.—
Television Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Go back to music, rhythm, as Yeats did, for a renewal of inspiration in poetry.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
This conception of dance music as channeling an elevated presence of mind in an unbound flow state (or whatever) is both galaxy-brained and complete nonsense.—
Harry Tafoya,
Pitchfork,
1 May 2026
-
During the Iraq War, the popular narrative was that our heroic soldiers and marines were going in to liberate the people, free women, and topple a brutal dictator—the same nonsense we are fed now about Iran.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Here’s how the growing cost of oil and gas is impacting consumers.—
Mae Anderson,
Chicago Tribune,
1 May 2026
-
Thirty-six thousand fans on a school day, with San Diego gas at six bucks a gallon.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The North Carolina trio’s second studio album combines krautrock grooves and ambient jazz to sculpt sweeping organic improv for the open air.—
Jesse Jarnow,
Pitchfork,
4 May 2026
-
According to her bio on the official team site, Summers started dancing at age 2 and began competing at 7 years old, training in ballet, jazz, contemporary, hip hop and tap.—
Zoey Lyttle,
PEOPLE,
4 May 2026
Noun
-
Others are former legacy news anchors, who have gained traction by slinging challenging oratory.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
20 Apr. 2026
-
Inches from Okananwa’s face, Frese delivered a vehement oratory to the junior.—
Devon Henderson,
New York Times,
22 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Brian Gibson’s gangrenous bass riffs and gibbering, muffled vocals have even more gonzo energy than usual, while Chippendale mixes bombast and finesse with his customary flair.—
Reed Jackson,
SPIN,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Eye-rolling over Gorka’s bombast has given way to anxiety about the administration’s preparedness to identify and stop major plots.—
Hannah Allam,
ProPublica,
21 Apr. 2026
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 6 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
