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rhetorical definition

rhe·tori·cal (ri tôr′i kəl)

adjective

  1. of, having the nature of, or according to rhetoric
  2. using or characterized by mere rhetoric, or artificial eloquence; showy and elaborate in style

Related Forms:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

rhetorical Synonyms

rhetorical

modif.

oratorical, bombastic, eloquent; see verbose.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

rhetorical Usage Examples

Preposition: in

  • nature: Some of the questions are simple and direct whilst others are rhetorical in nature.

Modifies a noun

  • flourish: There is a total absence of self pity, rhetorical flourishes, emotional appeals.

Modifying Another Word

  • purely: Which means we may be witnessing the advent of the world's first purely rhetorical technology.

Used with adjective complement

  • remain: Right up to the 1950s their boasted efficiency remained more rhetorical than real.
rhetorical usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

rhetorical quotes

The ship's ignored.The iceberg rises and sinks again; its glassy pinnacles correct elliptics in the sky. This is a scene where he who treads the boards is artlessly rhetorical.

-Bishop, Elizabeth

rhetorical quotes (more)

Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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MLA Style

"rhetorical." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 5 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/rhetorical>

APA Style

rhetorical. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 5th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/rhetorical

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