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
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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
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Recent Examples of rhetorical
Having branded CBDCs un-American, lawmakers would need to perform rhetorical gymnastics.
—
Zennon Kapron, Forbes.com, 30 Apr. 2025
But prioritizing working-class Americans over elites has been a key rhetorical theme in Mr. Trump’s political ascendancy, and Mr. Hawley has embraced it.
—Robert Draper, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2025
Public media, because of the taxpayer subsidy, hits a rhetorical sweet spot for the president.
—David Folkenflik, NPR, 29 Apr. 2025
The 2024 Presidential campaign itself involved deafening, five-alarm rhetorical fires.
—Jill Lepore, New Yorker, 28 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rhetorical
Zennon Kapron, Forbes.com, 30 Apr. 2025
But prioritizing working-class Americans over elites has been a key rhetorical theme in Mr. Trump’s political ascendancy, and Mr. Hawley has embraced it.
—Robert Draper, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2025
Public media, because of the taxpayer subsidy, hits a rhetorical sweet spot for the president.
—David Folkenflik, NPR, 29 Apr. 2025
The 2024 Presidential campaign itself involved deafening, five-alarm rhetorical fires.
—Jill Lepore, New Yorker, 28 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rhetorical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rhetorical
Adjective
-
Not merely because of his superior oratorical pizazz but also his remarkable style.—
Julian Randall,
Essence,
4 Dec. 2024
-
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
-
Placing your plant in direct sunlight can cause the plant’s leaves to burn or turn a reddish purple color.—
Sheryl Geerts,
Better Homes & Gardens,
21 May 2025
-
The Emmy Award-winning actress styled a floral midi dress in shades of purple, pink and light blue.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
21 May 2025
Adjective
-
He was released with a verbal warning on both occasions.—
Jessica Sager,
People.com,
10 May 2025
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Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor urged lawyers Thursday to defend the judiciary amid verbal attacks from the Trump administration due to recent rulings.—
Ashleigh Fields,
The Hill,
9 May 2025
Adjective
-
The only pontifical name that hasn't been used more than once is Peter, the name of the first pope, though there's no prohibition against doing so.—
Christopher Watson,
ABC News,
8 May 2025
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Gregory and Benedict are also popular pontifical names with 16 and 15 uses, respectively,while Innocent and Leo come close behind with 13 uses each.—
Issy Ronald,
CNN Money,
4 May 2025
Adjective
-
Significantly, this executive order revokes a previous one, issued by President Bill Clinton, which mandated that the federal government offer linguistic access to people with limited English proficiency.—
Graciela Mochkofsky,
New Yorker,
19 May 2025
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Meso-Collaboration: AI can empower communities and organizations to collaborate more effectively across geographical and linguistic barriers, fostering diverse and innovative problem-solving.—
Cornelia C. Walther,
Forbes.com,
19 May 2025
Adjective
-
In these scenarios, defenders have to bounce back onto their heels, creating an inflated amount of space — and giving the guard an immediate advantage in the first step to cut into open space and catch a quick flip pass for a rapid-fire shot.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
10 May 2025
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While brands like Pappy Van Winkle, Weller, and Blanton’s get all the attention, there’s a whole world of underrated bourbons that offer incredible flavor without the impossible hunt or inflated price tag.—
Emily Price,
Forbes.com,
8 May 2025
Adjective
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The actor enhances his character’s long inner monologues with his eloquent ice-blue eyes, which can convey emotions ranging from disdain and discomfiture to despair and devotion.—
Kristen Baldwin,
EW.com,
12 May 2025
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The artist also wore an eloquent necklace by Repossi.—
Ruth Etiesit Samuel,
Essence,
7 May 2025
Adjective
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This open dialogue and communicative environment has had such a positive impact on Celebree’s results and has become my favorite way to kick off the week.—
Richard Huffman,
Forbes.com,
14 May 2025
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The sophisticated parsing of law and finance, the hard-nosed practicality of retail politics, and the workaday lilt of person-in-the-street interviews converge on the soundtrack and are reflected in images that are modestly but candidly communicative—uninflected but humming with passion.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
23 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rhetorical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rhetorical. Accessed 25 May. 2025.
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