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Rhetorical Language vs. Rhetorical Questions
Rhetorical has several meanings which are close enough in meaning that they may easily cause confusion. It can refer to the subject of rhetoric ("the art of speaking or writing effectively") in a broad sense, and may also refer to that same subject in a somewhat deprecatory sense ("given to insincere or grandiloquent language"). But perhaps the most common use of rhetorical today is found in conjunction with question. A rhetorical question is not a question about the art of speaking effectively; it is a question that is asked for effect, rather than from a desire to know the answer. “Would it kill you to stop chewing your food with your mouth open?” is a rhetorical question.
Examples of rhetorical question in a Sentence
Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 20 May 2025
That’s a rhetorical question — of course there hasn’t.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 14 Mar. 2025
Trump mused in what seemed to be more of a rhetorical question that served as a jab at his predecessor’s unwillingness to regularly engage the media, especially toward the end of his presidency, a stand-in for questions about his age and mental fitness.
—Zac Anderson, USA TODAY, 21 Jan. 2025
The rhetorical question was meant to help believers think about their actions toward others, a kind of ethical shorthand.
—Jason Derose, NPR, 20 Jan. 2025
The rhetorical question was asked tongue-in-cheek, but the suggestion that this great showman could be given the epithet reserved for only the most one-dimensional players underlines his efficiency.
—Charlie Eccleshare, The Athletic, 19 Jan. 2025
That was a rhetorical question about a heinously bad Bears offense under coach Lovie Smith and coordinator Terry Shea.
—Brad Biggs, Chicago Tribune, 14 Nov. 2024
This is a rhetorical question, because the correct answer is none.
—George Caulkin, The Athletic, 9 Aug. 2024
Instead campaign spokesman Zach Bannon avoided the topic and asked a rhetorical question pointing to Baldwin’s donors, her partner and her $1.3 million condo in Washington, D.C.
—Ricardo Torres, Journal Sentinel, 10 Oct. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Rhetorical question.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rhetorical%20question. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.
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