rhetorical

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English

Etymology

From (deprecated template usage) [etyl] Latin rhētoricus, from (deprecated template usage) [etyl] Ancient Greek ῥητορικός (rhētorikós, concerning public speaking).

Pronunciation

  • Lua error in Module:parameters at line 290: Parameter 1 should be a valid language or etymology language code; the value "RP" is not valid. See WT:LOL and WT:LOL/E. IPA(key): /ɹɪˈtɒɹ.ɪ.kəl/, /ɹəˈtɒɹ.ɪ.kəl/
  • Lua error in Module:parameters at line 290: Parameter 1 should be a valid language or etymology language code; the value "US" is not valid. See WT:LOL and WT:LOL/E. IPA(key): /ɹɪˈtɔɹɪkəl/, /ɹəˈtɔɹɪkəl/
  • Audio (US):(file)
  • Audio (AU):(file)

Adjective

rhetorical (not comparable)

  1. Part of or similar to rhetoric, the use of language as a means to persuade.
    A rhetorical question is one used merely to make a point, with no response expected.
  2. Not earnest, or presented only for the purpose of an argument.
    • 2019 September 6, Jordan Weissman, “How Not to Fight Anti-Semitism”, in Slate[1]:
      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.

Derived terms

Translations