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.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of rhetorical
That left Johnson blindsided by the billionaire’s rhetorical barrage on Tuesday.
—
Niall Stanage, The Hill, 3 June 2025
However, that evolution remains more rhetorical than structural, at least for now.
—Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 4 June 2025
Differences of opinion between economists, scorekeepers and analysts are commonplace, as are the heated rhetorical attacks lobbed at the Congressional Budget Office.
—Phil Mattingly, CNN Money, 4 June 2025
His comments raise the rhetorical gamesmanship to a level U.S. officials weren’t comfortable with in the past.
—Daniel Depetris, Chicago Tribune, 3 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for rhetorical
Niall Stanage, The Hill, 3 June 2025
However, that evolution remains more rhetorical than structural, at least for now.
—Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 4 June 2025
Differences of opinion between economists, scorekeepers and analysts are commonplace, as are the heated rhetorical attacks lobbed at the Congressional Budget Office.
—Phil Mattingly, CNN Money, 4 June 2025
His comments raise the rhetorical gamesmanship to a level U.S. officials weren’t comfortable with in the past.
—Daniel Depetris, Chicago Tribune, 3 June 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
-
Her hair is of textured gold and crowned with blue, green and purple enamel, accented by old European-cut diamonds and gold beads.—
Anthony DeMarco,
Forbes.com,
13 June 2025
-
Additional detailing included a deep purple train which is a hue that exudes regality.—
Robyn Mowatt,
Essence,
9 June 2025
Adjective
-
Witness his absolutely brutal verbal beatdown of a former scream queen in the clip below.—
Nick Caruso,
TVLine,
13 June 2025
-
The latter quarterback will get a third shot with the Jets, while Wilson ended up in New York and received a verbal commitment to become the starting QB for the Giants in 2025.—
Justin Grasso,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 June 2025
Adjective
-
The only pontifical name that hasn't been used more than once is Peter, the name of the first pope, though there's no prohibition against doing so.—
Christopher Watson,
ABC News,
8 May 2025
-
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
Adjective
-
The result is a persistent gap between models that can speak many languages and those that can function across linguistic contexts.—
Alessa Cross,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2025
-
Our business, civic, educational, faith, media and political leaders have learned how to navigate these linguistic minefields.—
Jay Tcath,
Chicago Tribune,
10 June 2025
Adjective
-
In the 1999-00 season, 10 players listed at 5-foot-11 or shorter played significant time, collectively accounting for 3% of all NBA minutes, despite the inflated height measurements back then.—
Lev Akabas,
Sportico.com,
6 June 2025
-
Even with the burden of tariffs dropping slightly from the inflated levels suggested by some, the impact on the iPhone and the Galaxy audiences will be significant.—
Ewan Spence,
Forbes.com,
5 June 2025
Adjective
-
Kevin Harlan and Ernie Johnson Jr. delivered eloquent, graceful sign-offs when TNT concluded 35 years of NBA coverage on Saturday night.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
3 June 2025
-
Patti LuPone, fresh off the set of And Just Like That…, has caused an internet kerfuffle with her astute (and deliciously eloquent) jabs at costars, former lovers, theatergoers, and even Times Square pedestrians in her recent profile in The New Yorker.—
Raven Smith,
Vogue,
28 May 2025
Adjective
-
Others lauded Fox for his performance but questioned why city staff and the outside search firm working on the hire haven’t been more communicative with council members, including about the pauses in the hiring process.—
Mary Ramsey,
Charlotte Observer,
10 June 2025
-
To mitigate these risks, private partners should enter with eyes wide open and invest in building strong, communicative relationships with public sector counterparts.—
Seth Gellis,
Forbes.com,
5 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rhetorical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rhetorical. Accessed 19 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share