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
Etymology
Origin of rhetorical
First recorded in 1470–80; from Latin rhētoric(us) (from Greek rhētorikós ) + -al 1
Explanation
If you ask a rhetorical question it means you don’t necessarily expect an answer, but you do want an occasion to talk about something. Rhetoric is the art of written or spoken communication. If you went to school a hundred years ago, your English class would have been called Rhetoric. But nowadays if we say something is rhetorical, we usually mean that it’s only good for talking. If you speak beautifully about carpentry but can’t ever actually build a cabinet, we might say you have lots of rhetorical flare, but very little real skill.
Vocabulary lists containing rhetorical
The SAT: Language of the Test, List 1
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TEKS ELAR Academic Vocabulary List (5th-7th grades)
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PARCC: Language of the Test (Grade 11)
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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.
The author also explores the sleight of intellect practiced by Jefferson, a slave owner who deplored slavery and used his rhetorical skills to cast the cause of states’ rights as a question of liberty.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jul. 2, 2026
It treats historical analogies not as rhetorical shortcuts but as evidentiary claims that must withstand scrutiny.
From Slate • Jun. 26, 2026
We would expect the next commission’s debate to be carried out in public using the standard rhetorical tricks of today — namely lies, deflection and personal abuse.
From MarketWatch • Jun. 23, 2026
He’ll face an unusual amount of disagreement among committee members as well as scrutiny over his own positions given his rhetorical shifts on inflation and Fed policy since he was nominated by President Donald Trump.
From Salon • Jun. 1, 2026
That was obviously a rhetorical question; Mrs. Burt wasn't even looking at her.
From "Eleanor & Park" by Rainbow Rowell
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.
