rhetoric

noun
UK: /ˈretərɪk/
US: /ˈretərɪk/

  1. The art of using language effectively and persuasively.

    1. His speech was full of empty rhetoric.
    2. The politician's rhetoric swayed many voters with its passionate delivery.

  2. Language designed to have a persuasive or impressive effect, but which is often regarded as lacking in sincerity or meaningful content.

    1. It was just political rhetoric.
    2. The company's promises about environmental protection were dismissed as mere rhetoric.

  3. The study of writing or speaking as a way of communicating information effectively.

    1. She's studying rhetoric at university.
    2. The professor gave a lecture on classical rhetoric and its influence on modern communication.

Synonyms

elocution oratory grandiloquence bombast persuasion argumentation

Frequently Asked Questions

The word "rhetoric" in English means: The art of using language effectively and persuasively., Language designed to have a persuasive or impressive effect, but which is often regarded as lacking in sincerity or meaningful content., The study of writing or speaking as a way of communicating information effectively..

The phonetic transcription of "rhetoric" is /ˈretərɪk/ in British English and /ˈretərɪk/ in American English. Click the 🔊 button to hear both pronunciations.

Synonyms for "rhetoric": elocution, oratory, grandiloquence, bombast, persuasion, argumentation.

Example usage of "rhetoric": "His speech was full of empty rhetoric.". More examples on the page.