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Rhetorical Language vs. Rhetorical Questions
Rhetorical has several meanings which are close enough in meaning that they may easily cause confusion. It can refer to the subject of rhetoric ("the art of speaking or writing effectively") in a broad sense, and may also refer to that same subject in a somewhat deprecatory sense ("given to insincere or grandiloquent language"). But perhaps the most common use of rhetorical today is found in conjunction with question. A rhetorical question is not a question about the art of speaking effectively; it is a question that is asked for effect, rather than from a desire to know the answer. “Would it kill you to stop chewing your food with your mouth open?” is a rhetorical question.
Examples of rhetorical question in a Sentence
Ricardo Torres, Journal Sentinel, 10 Oct. 2024
The rhetorical question appeared to be an accusation of American hypocrisy, rather than a suggestion that Beijing was readying to supply weapons to Moscow.
—Ellen Francis, Washington Post, 7 Mar. 2023
This woman was front and center and really wanted to get in on this rhetorical question.
—Mikey O'Connell, The Hollywood Reporter, 22 Feb. 2024
Lance Armstrong on 'Stars on Mars' | Credit: Fox
That's when Tinashe steps in to answer his rhetorical question.
—Jillian Sederholm, EW.com, 9 July 2023
Since many of you reading this live in Los Angeles, that’s something of a rhetorical question.
—Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Times, 29 Dec. 2023
Macron, who had scrapped Harvey Weinstein’s Legion of Honor following the rape accusations in 2017, reacted to Malak’s comments with a rhetorical question.
—Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 21 Dec. 2023
No Label co-founder and former Sen. Joe Lieberman soon shot back with a rhetorical question.
—ABC News, 2 Nov. 2023
That speech pattern — the sarcastic rhetorical question asked in a tone of mock disbelief — was typical of Chandler.
—Matt Stevens, New York Times, 30 Oct. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'rhetorical question.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near rhetorical question
Cite this Entry
“Rhetorical question.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rhetorical%20question. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.
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