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
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of rhetorical
Skeptics complain that Europe lacks the airlift capacity to rapidly move forces around Europe, but this is a rhetorical diversion.
—
Barry R. Posen, Foreign Affairs, 21 Apr. 2025
This rhetorical tug-of-war unfolded while many cities across the country grappled with spiking crime rates during the first months of the COVID-19 pandemic.
—Christopher S. Warshaw, The Conversation, 18 Apr. 2025
But the bills have changed the rhetorical landscape.
—Margaret Talbot, New Yorker, 14 Apr. 2025
The Biden administration had largely kept Trump-era tariffs in place, albeit with fewer rhetorical fireworks.
—John W. Dean, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rhetorical
Barry R. Posen, Foreign Affairs, 21 Apr. 2025
This rhetorical tug-of-war unfolded while many cities across the country grappled with spiking crime rates during the first months of the COVID-19 pandemic.
—Christopher S. Warshaw, The Conversation, 18 Apr. 2025
But the bills have changed the rhetorical landscape.
—Margaret Talbot, New Yorker, 14 Apr. 2025
The Biden administration had largely kept Trump-era tariffs in place, albeit with fewer rhetorical fireworks.
—John W. Dean, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 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
-
In the center of the spacious courtyard, a trickling fountain provides a soothing soundtrack amid pots of fuchsia and purple petunias and pale blue hydrangeas.—
Jennifer Kester,
Forbes.com,
28 Apr. 2025
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Each ring is made of sterling silver with 18 purple amethyst gemstones and 74 genuine diamonds.—
Hailey Salvian,
New York Times,
28 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Nickens, a four-star football recruit and three-star recruit in hoops by 247sports.com, chose KU over Georgia, Texas A&M, Oklahoma State and California, after initially giving a verbal commitment to in-state school Oklahoma.—
Gary Bedore,
Kansas City Star,
28 Apr. 2025
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There is also truth behind Blues coach Jim Montgomery’s series of verbal daggers after Game 4.—
Murat Ates,
New York Times,
28 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Francis had established the Holy See’s first pontifical commission for the protection of minors early on in his reign.—
Christopher Lamb,
CNN Money,
24 Apr. 2025
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Turkson resigned from that role in 2021 and was appointed to head two pontifical academies on sciences and social sciences.—
Philip Pullella, Crispian Balmer, Alvise Armellini, Joshua McElwee and Chris Scicluna,
USA Today,
21 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Luckily, there were a few people involved who were linguistic nerds.—
Reece Rogers,
Wired News,
23 Apr. 2025
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The technology seamlessly integrates multilingual functionality, instantly adapting to students’ preferred languages for input and output, thereby breaking down linguistic barriers often impeding learning.—
Ray Ravaglia,
Forbes.com,
22 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
However, the issue of high prescription costs has long been a personal crusade for Cuban, who launched his own company, Cost Plus Drugs, in 2022 to tackle inflated prices through direct-to-consumer transparency.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Apr. 2025
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And the excess purchasing power caused by excess (untaxed) wealth distorts markets, leading to inflated prices for ordinary people.—
Made by History,
Time,
15 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Notably, the hues of navy and blue work well together to portray the actor as eloquent in matters of style.—
Robyn Mowatt,
Essence,
18 Apr. 2025
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His book is a distraught but eloquent cry against our tolerance for other people’s calamities.—
Fintan O’Toole,
New York Times,
25 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Open, warm, and highly communicative, Chauffe, who performs as hemlock, has made a name for herself around the country by embracing a free-spirited and loose approach to her music and her everyday life.—
Britt Julious,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Apr. 2025
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Image The accusations, however, that the institution’s leaders are neither approachable nor communicative will linger after Mr. Hill’s departure.—
Christopher Maag,
New York Times,
3 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rhetorical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rhetorical. Accessed 3 May. 2025.
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