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
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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
-
Tyla Wears Tolu Coker On the eve of the Met Gala, Tyla donned a striking ensemble featuring a voluminous skirt adorned with bold prints in orange, purple, brown, and more styled by Law Roach.—
Essence,
Essence,
9 May 2025
-
It’s crafted with high quality glass and features a beautiful, multi-colored design complete with dragonflies and purple and yellow colors.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
9 May 2025
Adjective
-
He was released with a verbal warning on both occasions.—
Jessica Sager,
People.com,
10 May 2025
-
Mason Garrett, 22, was charged with terroristic threats and acts after making verbal threats to shoot students and staff at Warren County High School, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.—
Tanasia Kenney,
Miami Herald,
9 May 2025
Adjective
-
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
-
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
Adjective
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The tool took two years to complete—in part because of linguistic challenges, Kharraz said.—
Alexis Kayser,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 May 2025
-
Digital platforms can offer courses that seamlessly integrate both forms of Arabic, providing learners with a well-rounded linguistic foundation.—
Geoffrey Alphonso,
Forbes.com,
7 May 2025
Adjective
-
The lawsuit alleges that American homeowners were forced to pay inflated real estate agent commissions, with Keller Williams, Anywhere Real Estate, HomeServices of America, Re/Max, and Redfin all being impacted by the settlement.—
Suzanne Blake,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 May 2025
-
Casks are often sold at vastly inflated prices, may not even exist at all, or the same cask is sold to multiple ‘investors’.—
Felipe Schrieberg,
Forbes.com,
1 May 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
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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
-
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
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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
Cite this Entry
“Rhetorical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rhetorical. Accessed 15 May. 2025.
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