Rhetorical Meaning
/ɹɪˈtɒɹ.ɪ.kəl/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
adjPart of or similar to rhetoric, the use of language as a means to persuade.
adjNot earnest, or presented only for the purpose of an argument.
Sentence Examples
When someone speaks with such rhetorical flourish, it starts to sound like they're lying.
Who needs rhetorical questions?
Have you ever asked me a question that wasn't rhetorical?
CEFR Practice Quiz
The speaker used a ____ question to make the audience think, not to get an answer.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The speaker ended with a ____ question designed to make the audience reflect on their own assumptions.
Word Origin & History
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.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Unfortunately, she has used the attack as a launch pad for a bizarre and undercooked exercise in rhetorical bothsidesism, in which she argues that American Jews should be just as worried about college students who overzealously criticize Israel as they are about the aspiring Einsatzgruppen who shoot up shuls."
— 2019 September 6, Jordan Weissman, “How Not to Fight Anti-Semitism”, in Slate:
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The speaker used a ____ question to make the audience think, not to get an answer.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The speaker ended with a ____ question designed to make the audience reflect on their own assumptions.