rhetorical question

American  

[ri-tawr-i-kuhl kwes-chuhn, -tor-] / rɪˈtɔr ɪ kəl ˈkwɛs tʃən, -ˈtɒr- /

noun

Rhetoric.

1. a question asked solely to produce an effect or to make an assertion of affirmation or denial and not to elicit a reply, as “Has there ever been a more perfect day for a picnic?” or “Are you out of your mind?”

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rhetorical question British  

noun

1. a question to which no answer is required: used esp for dramatic effect. An example is Who knows? (with the implication Nobody knows )

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rhetorical question Cultural  

1. A question posed without expectation of an answer but merely as a way of making a point: “You don't expect me to go along with that crazy scheme, do you?”

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rhetorical question Idioms  

1. A question asked without expecting an answer but for the sake of emphasis or effect. The expected answer is usually “yes” or “no.” For example, Can we improve the quality of our work? That's a rhetorical question. [Late 1800s]

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Etymology

Origin of rhetorical question

First recorded in 1835–45

Example Sentences

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

From Salon • Aug. 17, 2025

He says he was "struggling to hear the question" and adds that he was asking a "rhetorical question" when he spoke to the person in the audience.

From BBC • Apr. 28, 2024

Dad would often ask the rhetorical question, “What would grandma think?”

From Seattle Times • Jan. 19, 2024

I assume this is a rhetorical question and remain silent.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 27, 2023

Nearly half a century ago, a professor of entomology at Washington State College, A. L. Melander, asked the now purely rhetorical question, “Can insects become resistant to sprays?”

From "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson

Related Words

• comment
• explanation
• feedback
• interpretation
• justification
• key
• observation
• rebuttal
• remark
• report
• resolution
• response
• result
• return
• sign
• solution
• statement