variants
also rhetoric
1
as in oratorical
marked by the use of impressive-sounding but mostly meaningless words and phrases
you can skip over the rhetorical passages and still get the gist of the essay
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in ornate
full of fine words and fancy expressions
the new governor delivered a long rhetorical speech about our state's bright future but laid out no specific programs for ensuring it
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in linguistic
of or relating to words or language
the next war that those two nations fight won't be rhetorical—it will be with bombs and bullets
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of rhetorical
Every argument has a rational, emotional, and rhetorical component.
—
Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 5 Oct. 2025
Trump’s broadside against the UN is the latest salvo in a broader rhetorical battle about the value of multilateral organizations like it compared with the bilateral partnerships and deals favored by the current US administration.
—Morgan Chalfant, semafor.com, 26 Sep. 2025
Using his encyclopedic knowledge of House rules and his deft rhetorical skills, Adams could spin any floor debate into one about the issue of slavery.
—Time, 24 Sep. 2025
In this case, the power was rhetorical.
—Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 18 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rhetorical
Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 5 Oct. 2025
Trump’s broadside against the UN is the latest salvo in a broader rhetorical battle about the value of multilateral organizations like it compared with the bilateral partnerships and deals favored by the current US administration.
—Morgan Chalfant, semafor.com, 26 Sep. 2025
Using his encyclopedic knowledge of House rules and his deft rhetorical skills, Adams could spin any floor debate into one about the issue of slavery.
—Time, 24 Sep. 2025
In this case, the power was rhetorical.
—Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 18 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rhetorical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rhetorical
Adjective
-
The Dallas area was a hotbed of competitive debate, and, at first, the oratorical polish of Kuang’s teammates was intimidating.—
Hua Hsu,
New Yorker,
18 Aug. 2025
-
Chicago-based like the Jacksons — the play originated at the Steppenwolf Theater Company in that city — they, too, are headed by an oratorical pastor who, in his youth, worked closely with the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.—
Jesse Green,
New York Times,
18 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Kempinski Istanbul Housed in an ornate former Ottoman palace on the shores of the Bosphorus Strait, the Çırağan Palace Kempinski Istanbul is the ultimate luxury hotel in Istanbul.—
Katie Nadworny,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Nov. 2025
-
Nutcrackercore For those seeking theatrical glamour, Nutcrackercore delivers escapism through ornate decor.—
Elizabeth Fogarty,
Better Homes & Gardens,
8 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
The exuberance and linguistic force of Midnight’s Children is still, after 44 years, a joy to encounter on the page.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
6 Nov. 2025
-
The project stays anchored in his linguistic roots while aiming to connect with listeners beyond regional boundaries.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
3 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
In its report, the pontifical commission highlights failures in the Italian church.—
Christopher Lamb,
CNN Money,
16 Oct. 2025
-
The sprawling roughly 2,000-year-old property includes ancient Roman archaeological sites, farmlands, pontifical villas and lush papal gardens, with areas for organic farming and regenerative cultivation.—
Angie Leventis Lourgos,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Plus, the mint base contrasted with the purple detailing is playful and effortlessly spices up any outfit.—
Izzy Baskette,
PEOPLE,
7 Nov. 2025
-
True Ipomea batatas has bright orange flesh (although modern varieties have much more intense colors than older forms), occasionally white and rarely purple.—
Paul Cappiello,
Louisville Courier Journal,
7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
There’s physical language, but not verbal.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
4 Nov. 2025
-
On screen, Lawrence and Pattinson hurl nonstop insults at each other in loud bursts of verbal warfare, a striking contrast to the duo’s quieter working relationship.—
Antonio Ferme,
Variety,
2 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Firms that had stayed disciplined during the post-pandemic liquidity rush — holding back from inflated valuations and cheap leverage — are the ones outperforming, according to Bae.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
5 Nov. 2025
-
Stocks fell Tuesday after Wall Street sounded the alarm about a market selloff amid growing concerns over inflated tech valuations.—
Tasneem Nashrulla,
semafor.com,
4 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Reform—Within Reason Malthus aimed to puncture Godwin’s grandiloquent progressivism.—
Roy Scranton,
JSTOR Daily,
18 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rhetorical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rhetorical. Accessed 10 Nov. 2025.
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