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
In his call, Howie rode the rhetorical surplus of the inning’s rising action into the denouement of Alonso’s homer.
—
Joshua Dubler, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2025
Meanwhile, this argument goes, the Administration reaps political benefit by picking fights on base-friendly issues such as immigration and transgender rights, and by waging rhetorical war against judges.
—Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 4 Apr. 2025
Longest speech becomes rhetorical brawl The speech quickly became a reflection of a divided nation, with Trump haranguing the liberal opposition in Congress and multiple Democrats launching protests throughout.
—James Powel, USA TODAY, 5 Mar. 2025
Understanding the rhetorical power of warning Americans that they are being played for suckers, at a personal and visceral level, was part of the winning strategy of the 2016 Trump candidacy.
—Tess Wilkinson-Ryan, TIME, 18 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rhetorical
Joshua Dubler, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2025
Meanwhile, this argument goes, the Administration reaps political benefit by picking fights on base-friendly issues such as immigration and transgender rights, and by waging rhetorical war against judges.
—Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 4 Apr. 2025
Longest speech becomes rhetorical brawl The speech quickly became a reflection of a divided nation, with Trump haranguing the liberal opposition in Congress and multiple Democrats launching protests throughout.
—James Powel, USA TODAY, 5 Mar. 2025
Understanding the rhetorical power of warning Americans that they are being played for suckers, at a personal and visceral level, was part of the winning strategy of the 2016 Trump candidacy.
—Tess Wilkinson-Ryan, TIME, 18 Mar. 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
-
As its name suggests, hyaluronic acid plays a heavy role in its hydrating effects, but other skin-plumping ingredients at work include licorice root and purple rice extracts, two antioxidant-rich ingredients that hydrate while brightening skin and evening tone.—
Jennifer Hussein,
Allure,
4 Apr. 2025
-
Lohan wore a light purple minidress from Chanel’s spring 1997 collection designed by Karl Lagerfeld.—
Renan Botelho,
Footwear News,
4 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The Hurricanes on Saturday received a verbal commitment from four-star cornerback Jontavius Wyman, flipping the Jonesboro, Georgia, native from the Georgia Bulldogs.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
5 Apr. 2025
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There are a lot of verbal jokes — puns, old jokes, funny accents — but not a lot going on besides the talking.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
4 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
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
-
Football content creator Will Powell — better known by his social media pseudonym, Bryan’s Gunn — has always been fascinated by the linguistic quirks and tropes of football.—
James McNicholas,
New York Times,
3 Apr. 2025
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Those metrics included educational-attainment diversity, linguistic diversity, and industry diversity.—
Madeline Fitzgerald,
Quartz,
27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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In a moment of inflated prices, when even the American fast food experience might have lost some of its economic appeal, the Masters remains unchanged.—
Hugh Kellenberger,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2025
-
Predatory real estate tactics-such as inflated land valuations that push Native families out, coercive buyouts, and exploitative leasing agreements-undermine Tribal sovereignty and destabilize Native economies.—
Oweesta,
Forbes.com,
4 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
One of America’s greatest love stories can be understood through more than 1,000 eloquent letters that were sent between John and Abigail Adams – foundational figures in our nation’s early years – over the course of more than half a century.—
Jackie Cushman,
Boston Herald,
14 Feb. 2025
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They’re aided throughout by Bryce Dessner’s string score and eloquent, salt-of-the-earth narration from Will Patton (who also recorded the audiobook, repeating choice lines of Johnson’s at key moments here).—
Peter Debruge,
Variety,
26 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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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
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Image The accusations, however, that the institution’s leaders are neither approachable nor communicative will linger after Mr. Hill’s departure.—
Christopher Maag,
New York Times,
3 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rhetorical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rhetorical. Accessed 18 Apr. 2025.
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