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
The move followed public pressure and criticism regarding Mamdani’s past rhetoric concerning Israel, which some Jewish community members find deeply offensive and alienating.
—
Staff, FOXNews.com, 2 Apr. 2026
On one hand, this sounded like awfully sweeping rhetoric for a job that, oversees a handful of preëxisting city programs dealing with community groups and civic outreach.
—Molly Fischer, New Yorker, 2 Apr. 2026
The sanctions run parallel to Trump’s efforts to bring the tools and rhetoric of the Global War on Terror to bear against drug cartels, designating a handful as terrorist groups early on in his second term.
—Max Saltman, CNN Money, 1 Apr. 2026
As some commentators pointed out shortly after the speech, the president’s rhetoric even signaled an escalation, not an immediate pullback from the month-long conflict.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 1 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rhetoric
Staff, FOXNews.com, 2 Apr. 2026
On one hand, this sounded like awfully sweeping rhetoric for a job that, oversees a handful of preëxisting city programs dealing with community groups and civic outreach.
—Molly Fischer, New Yorker, 2 Apr. 2026
The sanctions run parallel to Trump’s efforts to bring the tools and rhetoric of the Global War on Terror to bear against drug cartels, designating a handful as terrorist groups early on in his second term.
—Max Saltman, CNN Money, 1 Apr. 2026
As some commentators pointed out shortly after the speech, the president’s rhetoric even signaled an escalation, not an immediate pullback from the month-long conflict.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 1 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rhetoric
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rhetoric
Noun
-
Residents can be ready for wind gusts of up to 50 mph.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
4 Apr. 2026
-
The Angels had only one hit, an Oswald Peraza bloop single that the wind probably blew away from right fielder Victor Robles.—
Jeff Fletcher,
Oc Register,
4 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
How to build a literary community with poetry (and biscuits).—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Her poetry offers a rare collection of literary introspection from within Miami-Dade County government, where Tallman works as chief of staff to a top deputy of Mayor Daniella Levine Cava.—
Douglas Hanks
April 1,
Miami Herald,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Actor James Tolkan, who was Tom Cruise’s no-nonsense commander in Top Gun and Marty McFly’s even less-nonsense Vice Principal in the Back to the Future films, has died.—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
28 Mar. 2026
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The notion of characterizing such a move as anything more than penalizing the public — which is finally balking at more taxation — is nonsense.—
U T Readers,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
28 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Roughly 45% of the cost of every gallon of gas is made up of costs that are consistent across the country.—
Richard Ramos,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
-
California has the highest state gas tax at 71 cents-per-gallon.—
Keith Laing,
USA Today,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Come for the jazz—from Grammy Award-winning bassists to young powerhouse vocalists—but stay for the chic atmosphere.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Recollect Records is that rare place for DJs and record collectors, especially those seeking used soul, funk, hip-hop and jazz vinyl.—
Miguel Otárola,
Denver Post,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Despite Berset’s oratory, one day later at Series Mania Disney+ announced an accord to share content from Spanish state broadcaster RTVE.—
Marta Balaga,
Variety,
28 Mar. 2026
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The Catholic Church’s work with young people in Italy largely relies on oratories, parish spaces where children and teenagers gather after school for sports and recreational activities.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
24 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Beirut — Strip away the bombast and superlatives.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
27 Mar. 2026
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People who dislike Minnelli’s singing maintain that her outer bombast conceals an inner void.—
Matt Weinstock,
New Yorker,
25 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Freed of the architectural fustian of the Frick’s Gilded Age home, the art breathes anew, each painting in its own world rather than entwined with others as part of a decorative ensemble.—
Philip Kennicott,
Washington Post,
6 June 2023
Cite this Entry
“Rhetoric.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rhetoric. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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