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
Relevance
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of rhetorical
The computational pauses felt dramatic, even rhetorical.
—
Robert C. Wolcott, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
China, too, failed to go beyond rhetorical condemnation of Israel and the United States.
—Andres Oppenheimer, Miami Herald, 26 June 2025
Trump’s rhetorical bombing raids against Fed Chair Jerome Powell could backfire spectacularly on Asia.
—William Pesek, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025
There are two different models for dealing with this reality, approaches that can broadly be described as strategic and rhetorical.
—Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 25 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for rhetorical
Robert C. Wolcott, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
China, too, failed to go beyond rhetorical condemnation of Israel and the United States.
—Andres Oppenheimer, Miami Herald, 26 June 2025
Trump’s rhetorical bombing raids against Fed Chair Jerome Powell could backfire spectacularly on Asia.
—William Pesek, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025
There are two different models for dealing with this reality, approaches that can broadly be described as strategic and rhetorical.
—Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 25 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for rhetorical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rhetorical
Adjective
-
Not merely because of his superior oratorical pizazz but also his remarkable style.—
Julian Randall,
Essence,
4 Dec. 2024
-
Chicago-based like the Jacksons — the play originated at the Steppenwolf Theater Company in that city — they, too, are headed by an oratorical pastor who, in his youth, worked closely with the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.—
Jesse Green,
New York Times,
18 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Her finely plucked, angled eyebrows, a burgeoning brow theme these days, harked back to the beauty aesthetics of the late ’80s and early ’90s, as did her bold red lip and shimmery purple shadow.—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
9 July 2025
-
Look for bronze or dark spots on the foliage or prominent purple veins.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
9 July 2025
Adjective
-
However, The Hollywood Reporter alleged that the actor didn’t have a deal in place; only a verbal agreement with the studio for future projects.—
Emily Blackwood,
People.com,
10 July 2025
-
James Pabst, 25, did not comply with verbal commands and the standoff ensued.—
David Clarey,
jsonline.com,
10 July 2025
Adjective
-
Related Articles For the past 40-plus years in the Philippines, Natori’s mother Angelita Cruz has been very close to the nuncios (who act as pontifical ambassadors), the designer said.—
Rosemary Feitelberg,
Footwear News,
18 June 2025
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The only pontifical name that hasn't been used more than once is Peter, the name of the first pope, though there's no prohibition against doing so.—
Christopher Watson,
ABC News,
8 May 2025
Adjective
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After the 1707 Act of Union, Scott was reminding British readers that Scotland was a land of linguistic diversity where Scots and Gaelic flowed freely.—
Rachel Ashcroft
July 7,
Literary Hub,
7 July 2025
-
Emoji, the not-quite-a-language language, were becoming part of the world’s linguistic—and commercial—infrastructure, importing some of the unruliness of IRL interaction into virtual spaces.—
Megan Garber,
The Atlantic,
29 June 2025
Adjective
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Some of the federal government’s messaging in recent months regarding falling egg prices appear at odds with its statements about inflated egg prices in the lawsuit.—
Esther Sun,
Mercury News,
10 July 2025
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While venture capital markets can support inflated valuations in the short term, companies ultimately need to deliver returns that justify these investments.—
Josipa Majic Predin,
Forbes.com,
8 July 2025
Adjective
-
Also: surely there are more eloquent ways to inform the reader that your story is set in May, 1846.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
11 July 2025
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Pairing the dress with Alexis Bittar jewelry led to an eloquent ensemble.—
Robyn Mowatt,
Essence,
4 July 2025
Adjective
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Which domains are operationally critical and which are purely communicative?—
Daniel Strauss,
Forbes.com,
20 June 2025
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Geminis are social, communicative, and witty, so give your child a name that can keep up!—
Kara Nesvig,
Parents,
17 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rhetorical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rhetorical. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.
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