rhetorical

adjective

ri-ˈtȯr-i-kəl How to pronounce rhetorical (audio)
variants also rhetoric
Definition of rhetoricalnext
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

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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

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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

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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 The latest Piker rhetorical bomb El-Sayed had to dodge was the streamer’s assertion in an interview with Axios, excerpts of which were posted Thursday, that the United States is more of a fomenter of terrorism than al-Qaeda. — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 18 Sep. 2026 By retaining too much of the play’s rhetorical architecture, the film turns a provocative dramatic premise into something closer to an illustrated thesis. — Beandrea July, IndieWire, 14 Sep. 2026 His recollections often take the form of dialogues in which interlocutors meekly acknowledge his overwhelming rhetorical advantage. — Ian Parker, New Yorker, 14 Sep. 2026 Day-to-day shifts on the frontlines in Ukraine and rhetorical expressions of domestic discontent are not among Putin’s major concerns. — Michael Kimmage, Foreign Affairs, 14 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for rhetorical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rhetorical
  1. oratorical
  2. ornate
  3. linguistic
  4. pontifical
  5. purple
  6. verbal
  7. inflated
  8. grandiloquent
Adjective
  • That wasn’t Newsom’s only oratorical slip-up, although the second one says more about the larger Democratic Party than anything else.
    — Douglas Schoen, Oc Register, 26 Feb. 2026
  • With his height and his oratorical flourishes, Jackson was a charismatic figure who led protests in Greensboro.
    — Johanna Neuman, Los Angeles Times, 17 Feb. 2026
Definition of oratorical
Adjective
  • Her library hosted a bright pink sofa and matching rug alongside an orange armchair, while the living room held kitschy dog statues, seats the color of lemon drops, and ornate silver candlesticks.
    — Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 29 Oct. 2026
  • There’s a luminous series of royal blue engravings presented with ornate flourishes, recalling styles favored by the French aristocracy.
    — Elisa Turner, Miami Herald, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of ornate
Adjective
  • As explored in my recent book, this dialect formed from linguistic variation that came in with colonial-era settlers from different places and stations.
    — Valerie M. Fridland, The Conversation, 20 Oct. 2026
  • This poll is part of an ongoing project exploring the views of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders, who are usually not highlighted in other surveys because of small sample sizes and lack of linguistic representation.
    — Terry Tang, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of linguistic
Adjective
  • In another decree published Monday, Leo canceled Francis’ plans to move some of the Vatican’s secret archives and library holdings out of the city state and onto the grounds of a pontifical university across town.
    — Nicole Winfield, Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2026
  • Leo opened his visit to Pompeii by meeting with sick and disabled people who are cared for by a charity center affiliated with the sanctuary, which Leo’s namesake, Pope Leo XIII, declared a pontifical basilica in 1901.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 8 May 2026
Definition of pontifical
Adjective
  • Bickelhaupt was taken to the hospital in June 2025 with two black eyes and purple and bluish bruises.
    — Zoey Thomas, Sun Sentinel, 29 Oct. 2026
  • The actress’ dress hailed from Almée Couture’s spring 2027 collection and featured a bouquet of botanicals set against a purple mountain range landscape.
    — Julia Teti, Footwear News, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of purple
Adjective
  • For people who expect visible enthusiasm, quick verbal responses, eye contact or other signs of engagement, the absence of those cues might lead them to suspect something is wrong — but that’s not always the case.
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026
  • OutKick reporter Matt Calkins, who was credentialed for the match, attempted to document the confrontation but was also subjected to verbal and physical aggression.
    — Matt Calkins , Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of verbal
Adjective
  • As part of the scheme, prosecutors allege, Heflin conspired with other companies and individuals to predetermine who would win certain business, at times submitting intentionally inflated bids to schools.
    — Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 27 Oct. 2026
  • As retailers roll out seasonal promotions across clothing, appliances and electronics, inflated reference prices and limited-time pressure can turn a modest discount into something that feels like a steal.
    — Ashley Lynch, Kansas City Star, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of inflated
Adjective
  • Witty, bitter, flamboyant, and emotionally grounded, the dialogue swings, delightfully, between intimate exchanges and grandiloquent soliloquies, capturing the vulnerability of idealists in the face of evil.
    — Emily Nussbaum, New Yorker, 23 Oct. 2026
  • There was Coppola’s over-the-top defense of his friend with a grandiloquent gesture (Tanen declined to sell).
    — Michael O’Donnell, The Atlantic, 10 Feb. 2026
Definition of grandiloquent

Browse Nearby Words

rhetoric
rhetorical
rhetorician
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Cite this Entry

“Rhetorical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rhetorical. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

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