variants
also rhetoric
1
as in oratorical
marked by the use of impressive-sounding but mostly meaningless words and phrases
you can skip over the rhetorical passages and still get the gist of the essay
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in purple
full of fine words and fancy expressions
the new governor delivered a long rhetorical speech about our state's bright future but laid out no specific programs for ensuring it
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in verbal
of or relating to words or language
the next war that those two nations fight won't be rhetorical—it will be with bombs and bullets
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of rhetorical
Resolutions — symbolic statements of values or support — often become a rhetorical battleground in the House, given some of its more right-wing Republican members, and a resolution about Jan. 6 represents a significant landmine for the chamber.
—
Seth Klamann, The Denver Post, 10 Feb. 2025
The filing avoids mentioning this part because acknowledging other records establishes the single as part of the rhetorical tradition of the rap diss.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 7 Feb. 2025
That kind of cycle of violence, whether rhetorical or actual, leads to nowhere good.
—NBC News, 22 Dec. 2024
President Trump brought not only rhetorical pressure on Panama with his vows to take it back, but also got congressional Republicans on board to draft the Panama Canal Repurchase Act, which was introduced by Representative Dusty Johnson (R., S.D.).
—The Editors, National Review, 4 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rhetorical
Seth Klamann, The Denver Post, 10 Feb. 2025
The filing avoids mentioning this part because acknowledging other records establishes the single as part of the rhetorical tradition of the rap diss.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 7 Feb. 2025
That kind of cycle of violence, whether rhetorical or actual, leads to nowhere good.
—NBC News, 22 Dec. 2024
President Trump brought not only rhetorical pressure on Panama with his vows to take it back, but also got congressional Republicans on board to draft the Panama Canal Repurchase Act, which was introduced by Representative Dusty Johnson (R., S.D.).
—The Editors, National Review, 4 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rhetorical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rhetorical
Adjective
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Thus enfranchised, Hackman took on Richard Harris’ elegant killer English Bob with gusto, mixing in a bravura oratorical gavotte with ample kicks to the ribs, and summoning the Best Supporting Actor trophy.—
Fred Schruers,
IndieWire,
27 Feb. 2025
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To some of Mojtaba’s supporters, the lack of religious qualifications and oratorical skills may not matter.—
Akbar Ganji,
Foreign Affairs,
13 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Carrie Bradshaw sporting her famous purple sequined Baguette in And Just Like That… James Devaney SJP’s character wearing a pink sequined version in the reboot.—
Mahoro Seward,
Vogue,
27 Feb. 2025
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The True Detective actor wore a gray hoodie, a red baseball cap, and a long purple scarf.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Unclear support What form that verbal support would take is unclear.—
Jeff Cox,
CNBC,
28 Feb. 2025
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After playing for so long together, Durant knew what plays Curry wanted to make without any verbal communication.—
Sam Gillette,
People.com,
27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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The prose is confiding and, in places, pontifical.—
Judith Thurman,
The New Yorker,
24 Aug. 2020
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That revelation, coupled with other recent pontifical critiques, have quickly dissolved the notion that the Dec. 31 death of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, a symbolic leader of the church’s conservative wing, might lessen the opposition to Francis.—
Stefano Pitrelli,
Washington Post,
18 Jan. 2023
Adjective
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But some of the messages she was judged and convicted for are definitely lost in linguistic and cultural translation.—
Seven Graham,
The Hollywood Reporter,
24 Feb. 2025
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By focusing on clinical meaning rather than just linguistic similarity, healthcare organizations can unlock the full potential of GenAI for accurate and reliable clinical decision-making.—
Michal Tzuchman Katz MD,
Forbes,
21 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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In return, Medina submitted fraudulently inflated budgets to obtain multiple contracts through the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice, which was overseeing the housing program.—
Chris Sommerfeldt,
New York Daily News,
13 Feb. 2025
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Reports said that over 50,000 tickets ended up on resale sites, despite efforts to restrict touts re-selling tickets at inflated prices.—
Thomas Smith,
Billboard,
10 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Paper Doll is eloquent and occasionally wrenching about the desire to get out — out of toxic situations, out of the view of paparazzi, and out of one’s own head.—
Miles Klee,
Rolling Stone,
26 Feb. 2025
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In voice-over narration, Angela communicated directly to the audience and shared her innermost thoughts — sometimes eloquent, sometimes inane but always authentic to the volatile experience of being a teenager.—
Meredith Blake,
Los Angeles Times,
2 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Perhaps a more communicative run-up on expectations or an approach that features more competitive offers to kick off the negotiations could go a long way to keeping the conversations more positive and less combative.—
Paul Dehner Jr.,
The Athletic,
13 Feb. 2025
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Minimalist Style According to Orth, people with yellow auras are typically intellectual, creative, and communicative, with a sunny and optimistic disposition.—
Cori Sears,
Better Homes & Gardens,
1 Feb. 2025
Articles Related to rhetorical
Cite this Entry
“Rhetorical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rhetorical. Accessed 4 Mar. 2025.
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