ENGLISH
REFERENCE

rhetorical

adj.
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ɹɪˈtɔɹɪkəɫ// UK //ɹɛtˈɒɹɪkəl// rhetor·i·cal Archaic

adj. describing a question that you ask just to make a point, not because you want an answer. It can also describe a style of speaking or writing that is meant to impress or persuade people.

adj. relating to the art of persuasion through language; specifically describing a question asked for effect rather than to elicit information. Often used to describe formal or elaborate styles of discourse.


SIMPLE

He asked a rhetorical question that nobody needed to answer.

CONTEXTUAL

The politician used several rhetorical devices to make his speech more memorable and persuasive to the voters.

COMPLEX

The essay was filled with rhetorical flourishes that, while stylistically impressive, ultimately failed to address the core logical fallacies of the author's primary argument.

Antonyms
Origin

From Middle English rethorycal, rethoricalle, rethorycall, from rethorik, rhetoric (noun) or Latin rēthoricus, rhētoricus, from Ancient Greek ῥητορικός (rhētorikós, “concerning public speaking”). By surface analysis, rhetoric + -al.

Usage

Typically used attributively before a noun like 'question', 'device', or 'flourish'.

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