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rhetorically

[ri-tawr-ik-lee, -tor-]

adverb

  1. in a way that uses language for style or effect.

    These essays discuss how the term participatory has been deployed rhetorically by a range of institutions.

  2. not expecting an answer, either because the answer is unknowable or because it is obvious.

    I am not asking the question rhetorically or snidely.

  3. in way that uses language in an exaggerated way.

    The realities of the global marketplace are quite apparent; they don't need to be rhetorically beaten to death.

  4. in a way that uses specialized literary language, such as figures of speech.

    Some of the entries are concise, but most of them are verbally and rhetorically elaborate.

  5. in a way that uses language particularly effectively.

    Her testimony was rhetorically strong, but scientifically weak.

  6. using words, especially in the absence of action.

    He fails to demonstrate the validity of his claims, but merely asserts them rhetorically.



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Other Word Forms

  • nonrhetorically adverb
  • unrhetorically adverb
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Word History and Origins

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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.

“We should then be asking rhetorically: Will in the future Germany be chasing Ukrainian military leadership as well?”

It's an ambition shared by the government -- at least rhetorically -- in a country where critics say a focus on oil has long sidelined investments in agriculture.

Read more on Barron's

He is, I hasten to add, a good and safe driver, aggressive only rhetorically.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

If no one is technically being detained, Gomez said he rhetorically asked the official during their call, are they free to leave?

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“Why couldn’t she come out and‘oh, poor Tam’ and all that, you know?” she asks rhetorically.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

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rhetoricalrhetorical question