rhetorical
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
describing a question you ask to make a point, not because you want an answer.
describing a question asked for dramatic effect or to make a point rather than to elicit information.
Simple“When he asked 'Who do you think you are?', it was a rhetorical question.”
In context“The speaker used a series of rhetorical questions to challenge the audience's assumptions without requiring them to speak aloud.”
UsageAlmost always used to modify the noun 'question'.
Teacher's tipLearners often confuse this with 'sarcastic'; explain that while it can be sarcastic, the core meaning is about the lack of a required answer.
Synonyms - 02 C1 Advanced
related to the skill of using language to persuade or impress people.
relating to the art or study of rhetoric; used to describe techniques of persuasion in speech or writing.
Simple“The politician used many rhetorical tricks to win the crowd's support.”
In context“The essay was a masterpiece of rhetorical skill, balancing emotional appeals with logical evidence to sway the undecided voters.”
UsageCommonly used in academic analysis of speeches or literature.
Synonymspersuasiveoratorical - 03 C2 Proficiency
describing language that sounds impressive but is not sincere or honest.
characterised by insincere or grandiloquent language that lacks substance or earnestness.
Simple“The company's promise to help the environment felt like rhetorical talk.”
In context“Critics dismissed the leader's speech as purely rhetorical, arguing that it offered no concrete solutions to the economic crisis.”
Teacher's tipThis sense carries a negative nuance, suggesting that the speaker is 'all talk' and no action.
“Other researchers describe prompt design as a rhetorical process shaped by purpose, context and audience , rather than a set of technical tricks.”
“These writers freely borrowed plots, characters and rhetorical devices in the service of their own work.”
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.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.