rhetoric
n.-
1 persuasive speech (n.) C1 Advanced Academic Formalthe skill of using words effectively to persuade or influence an audience.
the art of effective or persuasive speaking or writing, especially the exploitation of figures of speech and other compositional techniques.
ExampleThe lawyer used powerful rhetoric to convince the jury that his client was innocent.
ExampleClassical rhetoric remains a foundational element of legal education, providing students with the structural tools necessary to construct compelling oral arguments.
UsageOften used as an uncountable noun when referring to the field of study.
- eloquence
- oratory
- persuasion
-
2 empty talk (n.) C1 Advanced Formalspeech or writing that sounds grand and important but is actually insincere or lacks real meaning.
language designed to have a persuasive or impressive effect on its audience, but often regarded as lacking in sincerity or intellectual content.
ExampleThe voters were tired of the politician's empty rhetoric and wanted real solutions.
ExampleDespite the high-minded rhetoric regarding environmental protection, the corporation's actual policies remained largely unchanged.
Teacher's tipIn modern political contexts, this word is frequently used with a negative connotation to imply that a speaker is lying or exaggerating.
- bombast
- hot air
- grandiloquence
From Middle English rethorik, from Latin rēthoricus, rhētoricus, from Ancient Greek ῥητορῐκός (rhētorĭkós). By surface analysis, rhetor + -ic.
From Middle English rethorik, rhetoric, from Old French rhetorique, from Latin rhētorica, from Ancient Greek ῥητορική (rhētorikḗ), ellipsis of ῥητορικὴ τέχνη (rhētorikḕ tékhnē), from ῥητορικός (rhētorikós, “concerning public speech”), from ῥήτωρ (rhḗtōr, “public speaker”).
- Nounrhetoric
- Adjectiverhetorical