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
What began as a call for awareness of real life injustices has been transformed into a punchline and rhetorical scapegoat for everything from corporate policies to education.
—
Jameelah Nasheed, Essence, 1 Apr. 2025
Ultimately, these appeals amounted mostly to rhetorical posturing and, because of policy inconsistencies and incompetence, effected little concrete change.
—Matias Spektor, Foreign Affairs, 1 Apr. 2025
Some on the right saw right through the rhetorical trick.
—Brian Stelter, CNN, 25 Mar. 2025
In his call, Howie rode the rhetorical surplus of the inning’s rising action into the denouement of Alonso’s homer.
—Joshua Dubler, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rhetorical
Jameelah Nasheed, Essence, 1 Apr. 2025
Ultimately, these appeals amounted mostly to rhetorical posturing and, because of policy inconsistencies and incompetence, effected little concrete change.
—Matias Spektor, Foreign Affairs, 1 Apr. 2025
Some on the right saw right through the rhetorical trick.
—Brian Stelter, CNN, 25 Mar. 2025
In his call, Howie rode the rhetorical surplus of the inning’s rising action into the denouement of Alonso’s homer.
—Joshua Dubler, New York Times, 25 Mar. 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
-
The four colors are pink, purple, light blue, and light green.—
Stephanie McNeal,
Glamour,
15 Apr. 2025
-
Their maple leaf foliage can be found in lime green, gold, salmon, burgundy, purple, and a glittering gray with burgundy undertones.—
Joshua Siskin,
Oc Register,
12 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Back in 2018, Osment was involved in a verbal scuffle at an airport in Las Vegas.—
Ryan Coleman,
EW.com,
17 Apr. 2025
-
In 2018, police were called when Osment had a public verbal scuffle at McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas on Super Bowl Sunday in 2018.—
Charna Flam,
People.com,
17 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The prose is confiding and, in places, pontifical.—
Judith Thurman,
The New Yorker,
24 Aug. 2020
-
That revelation, coupled with other recent pontifical critiques, have quickly dissolved the notion that the Dec. 31 death of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, a symbolic leader of the church’s conservative wing, might lessen the opposition to Francis.—
Stefano Pitrelli,
Washington Post,
18 Jan. 2023
Adjective
-
Football content creator Will Powell — better known by his social media pseudonym, Bryan’s Gunn — has always been fascinated by the linguistic quirks and tropes of football.—
James McNicholas,
New York Times,
3 Apr. 2025
-
Those metrics included educational-attainment diversity, linguistic diversity, and industry diversity.—
Madeline Fitzgerald,
Quartz,
27 Feb. 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
-
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
-
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
-
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 23 Apr. 2025.
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