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 purple
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 verbal
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
Here are some of the rhetorical highlights in their own words.
—
Ronald J. Hansen, AZCentral.com, 22 Sep. 2025
In this case, the power was rhetorical.
—Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 18 Sep. 2025
This question, though somewhat rhetorical, again displays how well-meaning adults are nevertheless detached from the difficulties and dangers young people face in the modern internet age, where cyberbullying (and yes, even extremist ideology) runs rampant.
—Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Sep. 2025
Consider, for instance, the use of rhetorical figures such as metaphor or simile.
—Nino Letteriello, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rhetorical
Ronald J. Hansen, AZCentral.com, 22 Sep. 2025
In this case, the power was rhetorical.
—Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 18 Sep. 2025
This question, though somewhat rhetorical, again displays how well-meaning adults are nevertheless detached from the difficulties and dangers young people face in the modern internet age, where cyberbullying (and yes, even extremist ideology) runs rampant.
—Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Sep. 2025
Consider, for instance, the use of rhetorical figures such as metaphor or simile.
—Nino Letteriello, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rhetorical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rhetorical
Adjective
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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
-
Choose from a pink or green Christmas tree shape or a brown or light purple gingerbread house shape.—
Abigail Wilt,
Southern Living,
26 Sep. 2025
-
An online form to request City Hall light displays lists red, blue, orange, purple, yellow, white and green as options.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
26 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Multiple spectators were ejected and others got into verbal disputes with players.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
28 Sep. 2025
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After the pursuit, Reeve appeared to engage in a verbal altercation with the game official.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
28 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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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
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Related Articles For the past 40-plus years in the Philippines, Natori’s mother Angelita Cruz has been very close to the nuncios (who act as pontifical ambassadors), the designer said.—
Rosemary Feitelberg,
Footwear News,
18 June 2025
Adjective
-
Reform—Within Reason Malthus aimed to puncture Godwin’s grandiloquent progressivism.—
Roy Scranton,
JSTOR Daily,
18 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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By adding sixth grade, Cruz said the school was able to hire a part-time music teacher, who also can speak Spanish and integrate cultural and linguistic activities into music instruction.—
Alec Johnson,
jsonline.com,
29 Sep. 2025
-
This conversation concentrates on the Oxford English Dictionary (OED) as a Platonic model not only within the English language but in countless other linguistic ecosystems.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Global markets were also rattled after Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell on Tuesday said that asset prices, including equities, were trading at inflated levels.—
Chloe Taylor,Hugh Leask,
CNBC,
24 Sep. 2025
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The inflated bill was criticized by a local fiscal watchdog organization.—
Gayla Cawley,
Boston Herald,
24 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Boggs’s biography, which foregrounds Baldwin’s deepest love relationships, is a moving and eloquent rejoinder to the decline narrative.—
Megan Marshall
September 25,
Literary Hub,
25 Sep. 2025
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However, on YouTube, Kimmel’s eloquent and emotional monologue about free speech has been viewed more than 15 million times.—
Brian Stelter,
CNN Money,
24 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rhetorical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rhetorical. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.
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