rhetorical

[ri-tawr-i-kuhl, -tor-]

adjective

1. used for, belonging to, or concerned with mere style or effect, rather than truth, substance, or meaning.

   Her bold and ingenious analogies, although engaging, are purely rhetorical, adding nothing to our understanding of the issue.

   Synonyms: oratorical, stylistic, verbal

2. marked by or tending to use exaggerated language or bombast.

   Fortunately, the rebel leaders did not have the military power to follow through on their fiery rhetorical eruptions.

3. of, relating to, or concerned with rhetoric, or the skillful use of language to persuade people.

   She had spent hours with her advisors discussing rhetorical strategy, and now it was time to deliver the speech.

4. of, relating to, or in reference to a rhetorical question.

   No need to respond—that was rhetorical.

rhetorical

/ rɪˈtɒrɪkəl /

adjective

1. concerned with effect or style rather than content or meaning; bombastic

2. of or relating to rhetoric or oratory

Other Word Forms

• rhetorically adverb
• rhetoricalness noun
• nonrhetorical adjective
• unrhetorical adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of rhetorical¹

First recorded in 1470–80; from Latin rhētoric(us) (from Greek rhētorikós ) + -al ¹

Example Sentences

But we aren’t going to get it as long as we indulge the rhetorical gladiatorial fantasies of the “Debate Me” Bros.

From Salon

For now, though, in the face of a crisis that continues to escalate, and absent the rhetorical firepower they are craving, many Washingtonians are feeling frustrated — and demoralized.

From Salon

“Many of Latin America’s most significant criminal organizations are now designated foreign terrorist organizations. The administration is demonstrating that this is not only rhetorical.”

From Los Angeles Times

It’s not entirely a rhetorical question; a lot of people at least pretended to.

From Salon

Of course that was just a rhetorical dodge, and no more accurate when it comes to math and science than about global affairs.

From Salon

Related Words

• oratorical 
• vocal