rhetorical

UK /ɹɪˈtɒɹ.ɪ.kəl/ US /ɹɪˈtɔɹɪkəl/

adj 2noun 1

Collocations

ADJ.

flourish, undercooked

VERB + RHETORICAL

ask, exercise, isn't, needs, question, resorted, speaks, using

RHETORICAL + NOUN

bothsidesism, techniques

PREP.

in, in, with

ADV.

such

Definitions

adj

Part of or similar to rhetoric, the use of language as a means to persuade.

A rhetorical question is one used merely to make a point, with no response expected.

Not earnest, or presented only for the purpose of an argument.

Unfortunately, she has used the attack as a launch pad for a bizarre and undercooked exercise in rhetorical bothsidesism, in which she argues that American Jews should be just as worried about college students who overzealously criticize Israel as they are about the aspiring Einsatzgruppen who shoot up shuls.

noun

A study or exercise in rhetoric.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

Antonyms

unrhetorical

Idioms & Phrases

Example Bank

A rhetorical question is one used merely to make a point, with no response expected.

Wiktionary

To win his audience, the speaker resorted to using rhetorical techniques he learned from his communication courses.

Tatoeba · #1982

When someone speaks with such rhetorical flourish, it starts to sound like they're lying.

Tatoeba · #41472

Who needs rhetorical questions?

Tatoeba · #1647542

Have you ever asked me a question that wasn't rhetorical?

Tatoeba · #1989682

Usage Notes

i Register

In some senses, rhetorical is marked as dated. Watch for register when choosing this word.

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