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View synonyms for

rhetoric

[ret-er-ik]

noun

  1. (in writing or speech) the undue use of exaggeration or display; bombast.

  2. the art or science of all specialized literary uses of language in prose or verse, including the figures of speech.

  3. the study of the effective use of language.

  4. the ability to use language effectively.

  5. the art of prose in general as opposed to verse.

  6. the art of making persuasive speeches; oratory.

  7. (in classical oratory) the art of influencing the thought and conduct of an audience.

  8. (in older use) a work on rhetoric.



rhetoric

/ ˈɛəɪ /

noun

  1. the study of the technique of using language effectively

  2. the art of using speech to persuade, influence, or please; oratory

  3. excessive use of ornamentation and contrivance in spoken or written discourse; bombast

  4. speech or discourse that pretends to significance but lacks true meaning

    all the politician says is mere rhetoric

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Word History and Origins

Origin of rhetoric1

First recorded in 1300–50; from Latin ŧٴǰ, from Greek rhētorikḕ (téchnē) “rhetorical (art)”; replacing Middle English rethorik, from Medieval Latin ŧٳǰ, Latin ŧٴǰ, as above
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Word History and Origins

Origin of rhetoric1

C14: via Latin from Greek ŧٴǰŧ ( ٱŧ ) (the art of) rhetoric, from ŧō rhetor
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Noem’s noxious mix of willful ignorance and inflammatory rhetoric is almost too ludicrous to mock.

From

Israel says Tehran's rhetoric makes Iran an existential threat.

From

First, there is the speech from the chancellor in the Commons: the political rhetoric and the numbers often designed to sound big but which are often incomprehensible.

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“Those sorts of actions and that sort of rhetoric from a President of the United States should stop every one of us cold,” Murray said.

From

To hear the rhetoric, you’d think every other undocumented immigrant is a gang member and that trans athletes will soon dominate youth sports if someone doesn’t stand up to them.

From

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