1
as in wind
language that is impressive-sounding but not meaningful or sincere
the mayor's promise to fight drugs was just rhetoric, since there was no money in the city budget for a drug program
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in poetry
the art or power of speaking or writing in a forceful and convincing way
great leaders have often been masters of rhetoric, which they have used for both good and ill
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of rhetoric
Hanson has long tried to dismantle the crown jewel of Howard’s legacy—yet after Australia’s worst mass shooting since Port Arthur, her rhetoric and Howard’s converged.
—
Oscar Schwartz,
New Yorker,
29 June 2026
Election denial and other rhetoric have damaged public confidence in democratic institutions.
—
Bobby Zirkin,
Baltimore Sun,
29 June 2026
Their rhetoric was reminiscent of the presidential immunity case in 2024 that allowed Trump to avoid prosecution for his efforts to undo his 2020 presidential election loss to Democrat Joe Biden.
—
Mark Sherman,
Chicago Tribune,
29 June 2026
Fishback has been one of the more controversial candidates this cycle, accused of antisemitism and racist rhetoric in his speeches and appearances across the state.
—
Ana Goni Lessan,
The Orlando Sentinel,
29 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for rhetoric
Oscar Schwartz,
New Yorker,
29 June 2026
Election denial and other rhetoric have damaged public confidence in democratic institutions.
—
Bobby Zirkin,
Baltimore Sun,
29 June 2026
Their rhetoric was reminiscent of the presidential immunity case in 2024 that allowed Trump to avoid prosecution for his efforts to undo his 2020 presidential election loss to Democrat Joe Biden.
—
Mark Sherman,
Chicago Tribune,
29 June 2026
Fishback has been one of the more controversial candidates this cycle, accused of antisemitism and racist rhetoric in his speeches and appearances across the state.
—
Ana Goni Lessan,
The Orlando Sentinel,
29 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for rhetoric
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rhetoric
Noun
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But today, the winds are weaker, meaning the pollution carried by the air isn’t being dispersed.
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Like Guam, Saipan and Tinian could experience Category 1 winds of more than 74 mph, the weather service said.
Noun
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The title character disdains the common folk, and the play’s complicated political discussion and harsh, jagged poetry aren’t what most picnicking playgoers are after.
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Not enough people look back to the ancient world, which is more associated with epic poetry about gods and war than prose compositions.
Noun
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Until recently, that would have sounded like absolute nonsense.
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There weren’t meetings with executives about tone and mood and all this nonsense.
Noun
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In the Siberian city of Irkutsk, police fined four people on Monday, accusing them of reselling gas on the black market at inflated prices, according to the region’s Interior Ministry.
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Fires that burn at low temperature produce more harmful gases than hot fires.
Noun
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From here the route winds south past the town of Telluride, with its legendary skiing and film, jazz and bluegrass festivals, and out to Mesa Verde National Park, where Puebloan people carved gorgeous cliff dwellings in the buttes and gorges.
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The ongoing diversification of the American populace ensures that Latin American rhythms, jazz subgenres and electronic innovations will continue to redefine what the nation will sound like moving forward.
Noun
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Hamer signed up and, through her courage, charisma, and oratory, quickly drew ardent disciples and ruthless adversaries.
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Dogra was on the speech and debate team, competing in original oratory and original advocacy and serving as speech captain during her junior and senior years.
Noun
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Victor Lindelof’s pre-match comments smacked of bombast and confidence, the sort of words which are said but not meant, platitudes used to motivate rather than to be sworn under oath.
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The documentary’s contradiction is right there, enthralling us with the wild achievements Potter pulled off and frustrating us with his bombast, leading us to ponder whether, as The Dark Wizard suggests, either could exist without the other.
Cite this Entry
“Rhetoric.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rhetoric. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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