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

PORTLAND, Ore. — There is a rhetorical battle raging here in this heavily Democratic city, known for its delicious coffee, plethora of fancy restaurants, bespoke doughnuts and also for its small faction of black-clad activists.

From Los Angeles Times

Graham observed that outside the U.S., “nation” is often irrevocably tied to ethnicity, and “the conceptual shift…is part of a broader rhetorical change on the right.”

From Salon

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

Related Words

• oratorical 
• vocal