Rhetoric Meaning
/ɹɪˈtɒɹɪk/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
adjSynonym of rhetorical.
nounThe art of using language, especially public speaking, as a means to persuade.
Sentence Examples
But it's the rhetoric of failure.
Their pseudo-scientific rhetoric serves as justification for America's imperialist foreign policy.
Such rhetoric serves to announce his ideological affiliations.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The politician's persuasive ____ convinced many voters to support the new law.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The politician's ____ was impressive but critics argued that it was not matched by concrete action.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English rethorik, from Latin rēthoricus, rhētoricus, from Ancient Greek ῥητορῐκός (rhētorĭkós). By surface analysis, rhetor + -ic.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Transport Minister Marples, meanwhile, used arrogant rhetoric and showed his personal contempt for railways when confirming in Parliament that a third of the network was to be closed even before the survey results were known."
— 2023 March 8, Howard Johnston, “Was Marples the real railway wrecker?”, in RAIL, number 978, page 53:
"“As soon as I am inaugurated, I will direct the Justice Department to vigorously pursue the death penalty to protect American families and children from violent rapists, murderers, and monsters. We will be a Nation of Law and Order again!” Trump wrote on Truth Social, echoing his long-standing advocacy for use of the death penalty, which was part of his tough-on-crime rhetoric during the 2024 campaign."
— 2024 December 24, Aaron Pellish, “Trump says he will direct Justice Department to ‘vigorously pursue the death penalty’”, in CNN:
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The politician's persuasive ____ convinced many voters to support the new law.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The politician's ____ was impressive but critics argued that it was not matched by concrete action.