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
Resolutions — symbolic statements of values or support — often become a rhetorical battleground in the House, given some of its more right-wing Republican members, and a resolution about Jan. 6 represents a significant landmine for the chamber.
—
Seth Klamann, The Denver Post, 10 Feb. 2025
The filing avoids mentioning this part because acknowledging other records establishes the single as part of the rhetorical tradition of the rap diss.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 7 Feb. 2025
That kind of cycle of violence, whether rhetorical or actual, leads to nowhere good.
—NBC News, 22 Dec. 2024
President Trump brought not only rhetorical pressure on Panama with his vows to take it back, but also got congressional Republicans on board to draft the Panama Canal Repurchase Act, which was introduced by Representative Dusty Johnson (R., S.D.).
—The Editors, National Review, 4 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rhetorical
Seth Klamann, The Denver Post, 10 Feb. 2025
The filing avoids mentioning this part because acknowledging other records establishes the single as part of the rhetorical tradition of the rap diss.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 7 Feb. 2025
That kind of cycle of violence, whether rhetorical or actual, leads to nowhere good.
—NBC News, 22 Dec. 2024
President Trump brought not only rhetorical pressure on Panama with his vows to take it back, but also got congressional Republicans on board to draft the Panama Canal Repurchase Act, which was introduced by Representative Dusty Johnson (R., S.D.).
—The Editors, National Review, 4 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rhetorical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rhetorical
Adjective
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Thus enfranchised, Hackman took on Richard Harris’ elegant killer English Bob with gusto, mixing in a bravura oratorical gavotte with ample kicks to the ribs, and summoning the Best Supporting Actor trophy.—
Fred Schruers,
IndieWire,
27 Feb. 2025
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To some of Mojtaba’s supporters, the lack of religious qualifications and oratorical skills may not matter.—
Akbar Ganji,
Foreign Affairs,
13 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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The True Detective actor wore a gray hoodie, a red baseball cap, and a long purple scarf.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
27 Feb. 2025
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Carrie Bradshaw sporting her famous purple sequined Baguette in And Just Like That… James Devaney SJP’s character wearing a pink sequined version in the reboot.—
Mahoro Seward,
Vogue,
27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Unclear support What form that verbal support would take is unclear.—
Jeff Cox,
CNBC,
28 Feb. 2025
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Some of them have received some verbal notifications that their jobs are being terminated, but nobody else has gotten an official letter of termination. ...—
Emily Alpert Reyes,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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The prose is confiding and, in places, pontifical.—
Judith Thurman,
The New Yorker,
24 Aug. 2020
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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
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By focusing on linguistic and cultural inclusivity, AmarDoctor’s digital health platform addresses hurdles that often prevent low-income, rural, or disenfranchised populations from seeking timely treatment.—
Cornelia C. Walther,
Forbes,
5 Mar. 2025
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According to studies, there are over 10,000 identifiable ethnic, linguistic, cultural, and religious groups in the world (and according to the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, indigenous peoples alone account for approximately 5,000 distinct cultures).—
Justin Gest,
Newsweek,
11 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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The combination of inflated price and limited availability could curtail sales of eggs for the Easter holiday, ultimately affecting the demand for egg dye kits.—
Sarah Whitten,
CNBC,
28 Feb. 2025
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Francis then defrauded the U.S. government of at least $35 million by charging heavily inflated prices for routine services such as security, tugboats, trash removal, food and water replenishment.—
Alex Riggins,
The Mercury News,
20 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Paper Doll is eloquent and occasionally wrenching about the desire to get out — out of toxic situations, out of the view of paparazzi, and out of one’s own head.—
Miles Klee,
Rolling Stone,
26 Feb. 2025
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In voice-over narration, Angela communicated directly to the audience and shared her innermost thoughts — sometimes eloquent, sometimes inane but always authentic to the volatile experience of being a teenager.—
Meredith Blake,
Los Angeles Times,
2 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Socialisation And Early Gendered Communication Training From childhood, boys and girls are socialized into different communicative patterns.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes,
6 Mar. 2025
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Butler has been a revelation, fitting in seamlessly on both ends as a communicative, physical player.—
Danny Emerman,
The Mercury News,
26 Feb. 2025
Articles Related to rhetorical
Cite this Entry
“Rhetorical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rhetorical. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
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