Definitions
01persuasive speech
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Academic · Formal
n. the skill of using words effectively to persuade or influence an audience.
n. the art of effective or persuasive speaking or writing, especially the exploitation of figures of speech and other compositional techniques.
日本語:レトリック※
“The lawyer used powerful rhetoric to convince the jury that his client was innocent.”
“Classical rhetoric remains a foundational element of legal education, providing students with the structural tools necessary to construct compelling oral arguments.”
Usage
Often used as an uncountable noun when referring to the field of study.
Synonyms
02empty talk
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Formal
n. speech or writing that sounds grand and important but is actually insincere or lacks real meaning.
n. language designed to have a persuasive or impressive effect on its audience, but often regarded as lacking in sincerity or intellectual content.
“The voters were tired of the politician's empty rhetoric and wanted real solutions.”
“Despite the high-minded rhetoric regarding environmental protection, the corporation's actual policies remained largely unchanged.”
Teaching tip
In modern political contexts, this word is frequently used with a negative connotation to imply that a speaker is lying or exaggerating.
Synonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “rhetoric” in context.
Verb
01. employ persuasive rhetoric
“The defense attorney employed persuasive rhetoric to sway the jury's opinion.”
verb + adj + noun
02. match the rhetoric with action
“It is time for the government to match the rhetoric with action regarding climate change.”
verb + noun + prep + noun
03. tone down the rhetoric
“Both sides were urged to tone down the rhetoric to avoid further escalation of the conflict.”
verb + noun
Adjective
04. empty rhetoric
“The candidate's speech was dismissed by critics as nothing more than empty rhetoric.”
adj + noun
05. inflammatory rhetoric
“The leader was accused of using inflammatory rhetoric to incite his followers.”
adj + noun
06. soaring rhetoric
“The inaugural address was filled with soaring rhetoric about the nation's future.”
adj + noun
Noun
07. gap between rhetoric and reality
“Voters are increasingly frustrated by the widening gap between rhetoric and reality.”
noun + prep + noun
08. piece of rhetoric
“His latest column was a masterful piece of rhetoric that challenged the status quo.”
noun + of + noun
Real-World Examples
“Muslim leaders in the UK have said that hate crimes targeting their community are hitting new levels amid a rise in far-right rhetoric and growing support for anti-immigrant political parties.” “Yet he warned that nationalist symbols and rhetoric have become increasingly visible within the student movement.” Etymology
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”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · AdvancedOxford
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/rhetoric
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「日本語」「カタカナ語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0