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

After Pericles’ death from plague in 429 B.C., rhetorical and political authority is seized by Cleon, an upstart demagogue who is the “most violent person in Athens” and “the most persuasive.”

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“Go on. My question was not a rhetorical one.”

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This was a rhetorical question and thus required no answer.

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For rhetorical style, I shall look to Cicero.

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“I believe Lady Constance meant that as a rhetorical question,” Penelope interjected, but the children’s enthusiasm for the topic had already taken over.

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Related Words

• oratorical 
• vocal