1
as in wind
language that is impressive-sounding but not meaningful or sincere
the mayor's promise to fight drugs was just rhetoric, since there was no money in the city budget for a drug program
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in poetry
the art or power of speaking or writing in a forceful and convincing way
great leaders have often been masters of rhetoric, which they have used for both good and ill
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of rhetoric
The phrase soon became a centerpiece of official rhetoric.
—
Reagan Yip, CNN Money, 3 June 2026
But the cases filed so far are narrower than this rhetoric suggests, highlighting the legal and practical constraints on using this tool more broadly.
—Jaclyn Diaz, NPR, 2 June 2026
Khanna, a prominent Democrat from California, has underscored Platner’s rhetoric about taxing the rich and lifting up working-class Mainers.
—Molly Parks, The Washington Examiner, 1 June 2026
Both her rhetoric and her proposals show a deep skepticism that the private sector can sufficiently provide essential goods and services.
—Idrees Kahloon, The Atlantic, 1 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for rhetoric
Reagan Yip, CNN Money, 3 June 2026
But the cases filed so far are narrower than this rhetoric suggests, highlighting the legal and practical constraints on using this tool more broadly.
—Jaclyn Diaz, NPR, 2 June 2026
Khanna, a prominent Democrat from California, has underscored Platner’s rhetoric about taxing the rich and lifting up working-class Mainers.
—Molly Parks, The Washington Examiner, 1 June 2026
Both her rhetoric and her proposals show a deep skepticism that the private sector can sufficiently provide essential goods and services.
—Idrees Kahloon, The Atlantic, 1 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for rhetoric
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rhetoric
Noun
-
Energy addition refers to a push to develop new technologies, such as renewables like solar and wind, in parallel with existing fossil fuels.—
Sam Meredith,
CNBC,
5 June 2026
-
Researchers think a hot, energetic wind blowing from Sgr A* created this structure by sweeping the cold gas away or heating it up.—
Adam Harrington,
CBS News,
4 June 2026
Noun
-
With their laid-back, mop-haired rocker dad and poetry professor turned ayurvedic healer mom, 16-year-old Awilda and 13-year-old Delphine have surely always known the importance of staying true to oneself.—
Marah Eakin,
Vulture,
4 June 2026
-
People expect a more comprehensive, even exciting experience, with things like live music, poetry readings and even circus acts.—
John Metcalfe,
Mercury News,
4 June 2026
Noun
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That’s the prayerful explanation for the nonsense that spouted this week from the leaders of a football conference that hopes to grow up and be the Big Ten someday.—
Joe Rexrode,
New York Times,
29 May 2026
-
Let’s see if the Pomona Unified School District, which pays thousands of dollars to support its schools’ athletic program, is going to act and stop this nonsense.—
Eric Sondheimer,
Los Angeles Times,
29 May 2026
Noun
-
For decades, the conventional narrative has been one in which renewables were criticized for their intermittency issues and dependence on weather conditions, whereas technologies such as coal, oil, and gas were seen as providing security.—
Sam Meredith,
CNBC,
5 June 2026
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As long as oil prices remain under that benchmark, gas prices may continue to hold steady or even decline, Denton Cinquegrana, chief oil analyst at Dow Jones Energy, told ABC News.—
Max Zahn,
ABC News,
4 June 2026
Noun
-
The Fairmont is not only restoring a piece of history, but also introducing a new restaurant, a 360-degree rooftop bar, and a jazz lounge to enhance the experience.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
9 June 2026
-
The Midtown Farmers Market is featuring a broad mix of musical guests throughout June, including jazz, singer-songwriter, DJ and pop/funk/neo soul acts for free every Saturday.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
8 June 2026
Noun
-
But those seemed better suited to people who wanted to win hearts and minds through stirring oratory.—
Eli Durst,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
-
Others are former legacy news anchors, who have gained traction by slinging challenging oratory.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
20 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The documentary’s contradiction is right there, enthralling us with the wild achievements Potter pulled off and frustrating us with his bombast, leading us to ponder whether, as The Dark Wizard suggests, either could exist without the other.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
7 May 2026
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Brian Gibson’s gangrenous bass riffs and gibbering, muffled vocals have even more gonzo energy than usual, while Chippendale mixes bombast and finesse with his customary flair.—
Reed Jackson,
SPIN,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Freed of the architectural fustian of the Frick’s Gilded Age home, the art breathes anew, each painting in its own world rather than entwined with others as part of a decorative ensemble.—
Philip Kennicott,
Washington Post,
6 June 2023
Cite this Entry
“Rhetoric.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rhetoric. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.
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