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
But this budget is more rhetorical than revolutionary.
—
Veronique De Rugy, Twin Cities, 13 May 2025
Despite rhetorical nods to sovereignty, the Trump administration has showed little interest in backing most independence movements, like those of the Kurds, throughout the Middle East, or the Catalans, in Spain.
—Ryan D. Griffiths, Foreign Affairs, 20 May 2025
This kind of rhetorical whiplash doesn’t sit right.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 16 May 2025
Proponents have long invoked civil rights language to promote vouchers, a disturbing rhetorical choice given vouchers originated as a tool for southern white parents to avoid the Supreme Court's desegregation order in Brown v. Board of Education.
—Kevin Sabet, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for rhetorical
Veronique De Rugy, Twin Cities, 13 May 2025
Despite rhetorical nods to sovereignty, the Trump administration has showed little interest in backing most independence movements, like those of the Kurds, throughout the Middle East, or the Catalans, in Spain.
—Ryan D. Griffiths, Foreign Affairs, 20 May 2025
This kind of rhetorical whiplash doesn’t sit right.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 16 May 2025
Proponents have long invoked civil rights language to promote vouchers, a disturbing rhetorical choice given vouchers originated as a tool for southern white parents to avoid the Supreme Court's desegregation order in Brown v. Board of Education.
—Kevin Sabet, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 May 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
-
In late summer to early fall, the plant is covered with daisy-like purple blooms with yellow centers.—
Rita Pelczar,
Better Homes & Gardens,
3 June 2025
-
Danielle Brooks Danielle Brooks attended the 4th Annual Black Women on Broadway Awards in N.Y.C. in a purple cropped jacket and matching shorts.—
Catherine Santino,
People.com,
3 June 2025
Adjective
-
These were meetings of twenty-five or so women, each of whom paid the substantial sum of ten dollars to hear Fuller exercise her verbal brilliance in the course of a thirteen-week-long series, in semiprivate settings.—
James Marcus,
New Yorker,
2 June 2025
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The incident began with a verbal argument, according to Pembroke Pines Police.—
Milena Malaver,
Miami Herald,
31 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
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This strident belief that languages shape our thinking is referred to as the linguistic relativity hypothesis, which is also informally known as Whorfianism, see my detailed discussion at the link here.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
29 May 2025
-
Critics argue that the rules prohibit linguistic evolution and self-expression.—
Jordan King,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 May 2025
Adjective
-
In the 1999-00 season, 10 players listed at 5-foot-11 or shorter played significant time, collectively accounting for 3% of all NBA minutes, despite the inflated height measurements back then.—
Lev Akabas,
Sportico.com,
6 June 2025
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Even with the burden of tariffs dropping slightly from the inflated levels suggested by some, the impact on the iPhone and the Galaxy audiences will be significant.—
Ewan Spence,
Forbes.com,
5 June 2025
Adjective
-
Kevin Harlan and Ernie Johnson Jr. delivered eloquent, graceful sign-offs when TNT concluded 35 years of NBA coverage on Saturday night.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
3 June 2025
-
Patti LuPone, fresh off the set of And Just Like That…, has caused an internet kerfuffle with her astute (and deliciously eloquent) jabs at costars, former lovers, theatergoers, and even Times Square pedestrians in her recent profile in The New Yorker.—
Raven Smith,
Vogue,
28 May 2025
Adjective
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Those transported to the hospital were conscious and communicative at the time of transport, according to Diablo Valley College.—
Nadine El-Bawab,
ABC News,
24 May 2025
-
Jen is super communicative, popular, and wise, linking her spiritual vibe with the Air sign.—
Lisa Stardust,
People.com,
14 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rhetorical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rhetorical. Accessed 14 Jun. 2025.
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