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
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 rhetorical
That writer performed an increasingly common rhetorical move among 20th-century criminologists, reifying deterrence into a scientific object and a kind of substance that could exist in greater or lesser quantities.
—
Big Think, 27 Nov. 2025
From Fifth back to First In 1953, the physicist Albert Einstein became instrumental in revitalizing the force of the First Amendment as a rhetorical and legal tactic in the congressional hearings.
—Jodie Childers, The Conversation, 20 Nov. 2025
It was founded by Simon Bolívar, who led the region to independence from Spain and remains a key rhetorical figure in Latin American politics, especially in Colombia and Venezuela.
—Alfie Pannell, Miami Herald, 10 Nov. 2025
Bannon’s fantasy functions as a rhetorical weapon—a way of probing how far the cult of personality can go before the rule of law pushes back.
—Dan Perry, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rhetorical
Big Think, 27 Nov. 2025
From Fifth back to First In 1953, the physicist Albert Einstein became instrumental in revitalizing the force of the First Amendment as a rhetorical and legal tactic in the congressional hearings.
—Jodie Childers, The Conversation, 20 Nov. 2025
It was founded by Simon Bolívar, who led the region to independence from Spain and remains a key rhetorical figure in Latin American politics, especially in Colombia and Venezuela.
—Alfie Pannell, Miami Herald, 10 Nov. 2025
Bannon’s fantasy functions as a rhetorical weapon—a way of probing how far the cult of personality can go before the rule of law pushes back.
—Dan Perry, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Oct. 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
-
In recent decades, they have been staged in the ornate City Council chamber, outside Griffith Park Observatory and even at an electric truck factory in Harbor City.—
David Zahniser,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Jan. 2026
-
Drawing from the series’ most iconic symbols — bows, bees, wisteria, and friendship motifs — the collection reimagines Bridgerton’s ornate world through a modern, wearable lens.—
Brittany Talarico,
PEOPLE,
20 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
For me and millions of my compatriots, Mashhad is a cultural, linguistic, and emotional center that feels very much like home.—
Davood Moradian,
The Atlantic,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Featuring Tz’utujil lyrics from Chavahaze, the song bridges linguistic and spiritual worlds, offering a rare glimpse into a living ancestral perspective.—
Isabela Raygoza,
Billboard,
24 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The bishops further authorized a new edition of the Roman Pontifical for pontifical Masses, expected to be completed by 2027, with Vatican approval pending for some rites, according to the Catholic News Agency.—
Jordan King,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 Nov. 2025
-
In its report, the pontifical commission highlights failures in the Italian church.—
Christopher Lamb,
CNN Money,
16 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Black Rice Often called Forbidden rice, black rice is a whole grain similar to brown rice, with a deep purple-black bran.—
Anne Wolf,
Martha Stewart,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Hudson—who was photographed sitting next to Diane Kruger and Michelle Pfeiffer—appeared to be dreaming of spring weather, thanks to a light lavender purple top trimmed with sequins and rhinestones that was a diamanté dream.—
Lara Walsh,
InStyle,
27 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Kiarra Jones was caught on video in April 2024 hitting a non-verbal student while on the bus.—
Jesse Sarles,
CBS News,
23 Jan. 2026
-
The administration’s attacks on medicine, culture, and education—which include verbal threats and funding cuts—are about more than just budgeting and bravado.—
Anne Applebaum,
The Atlantic,
23 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Oversized fits—from bomber jackets and cow-print fleece coordinates to wide-leg jeans—were balanced with boots with inflated toes and straps.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
29 Jan. 2026
-
The ball itself was usually an inflated animal bladder, like a cow bladder, explains Louis Moore, a professor at Michigan State University, who teaches sports history.—
Jaclyn Diaz,
NPR,
28 Jan. 2026
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 30 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
