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rhetorical
[ ri-tawr-i-kuhl, -tor- ]
adjective
- used for, belonging to, or concerned with mere style or effect, rather than truth, substance, or meaning:
Her bold and ingenious analogies, although engaging, are purely rhetorical, adding nothing to our understanding of the issue.
Synonyms: , ,
- marked by or tending to use exaggerated language or bombast:
Fortunately, the rebel leaders did not have the military power to follow through on their fiery rhetorical eruptions.
- of, relating to, or concerned with rhetoric, or the skillful use of language to persuade people:
She had spent hours with her advisors discussing rhetorical strategy, and now it was time to deliver the speech.
- of, relating to, or in reference to a rhetorical question:
No need to respond—that was rhetorical.
rhetorical
/ ɪˈɒɪə /
adjective
- concerned with effect or style rather than content or meaning; bombastic
- of or relating to rhetoric or oratory
Derived Forms
- ˈٴǰ, adverb
Other Word Forms
- ·ٴǰ··· adverb
- ·ٴǰ···Ա noun
- ԴDz··ٴǰ·· adjective
- ܲ··ٴǰ·· adjective
Word History and Origins
Origin of rhetorical1
Example Sentences
A 2014 journal article concluded many of those “building support for small modular reactors” are putting forward “rhetorical visions imbued with elements of fantasy.”
Taken together, these various Trumpian hot takes weren’t serious rationalizations; they were desperate attempts to throw rhetorical spaghetti at the wall and hope something sticks.
This is the rhetorical device the real-talk brigade uses to self-authenticate its own arguments, to tear down the straw people they establish as the targets of their ire.
The question is rhetorical, of course, but useful for setting up a discourse about what the problems were.
The prime minister is not a man known for flights of rhetorical fancy.
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