rhetorical
Americanadjective
-
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
-
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.
-
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.
-
of, relating to, or in reference to a rhetorical question.
No need to respond—that was rhetorical.
adjective
-
concerned with effect or style rather than content or meaning; bombastic
-
of or relating to rhetoric or oratory
Other Word Forms
- nonrhetorical adjective
- rhetorically adverb
- rhetoricalness noun
- unrhetorical adjective
Etymology
Origin of rhetorical
First recorded in 1470–80; from Latin rhētoric(us) (from Greek rhētorikós ) + -al 1
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Culhane’s impression of the conservative pundit was pretty impressive, capturing his cadence and habit of using rhetorical questions — I hope we see it again.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 15, 2026
Nichols added: "But here's the kicker: in this debate, experiences like mine feel like they've been weaponised and are being used for rhetorical misdirection, for what this Bill actually is."
From BBC • Mar. 11, 2026
Hegseth’s language choices and petulant tone do not demonstrate an ignorance of what rhetorical situations demand of him; instead, they reflect a refusal to be emasculated by such cumbersome norms.
From Salon • Mar. 10, 2026
Cuba's traditional allies have offered rhetorical support, but announced no concrete plans for help.
From Barron's • Jan. 30, 2026
“Ideology,” then, had provided Jefferson with a politically attractive pro-French platform, which had turned out to have enormous rhetorical advantages no matter how wrong it proved in reality.
From "Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation" by Joseph J. Ellis
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
