rhetoric
/ˈɹɛtəɹɪk/
Word Rarity
Rare
Frequency: Zipf frequency 3.95 in modern English
13
Scrabble Score
8
Letters
3
Syllables
7
Unique Chars
Meaning
noun
The art of using language, especially public speaking, as a means to persuade.
Countable; Uncountable
noun
Meaningless language with an exaggerated style intended to impress.
Countable; Derogatory; Uncountable
adj
Synonym of rhetorical.
Example Sentences
- "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."
- "“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."
- "It’s only so much rhetoric."
Etymology
Etymology tree Ancient Greek ῥητορῐκή τέχνη (rhētorĭkḗ tékhnē)ellip. Ancient Greek ῥητορικὴ (rhētorikḕ)bor. Latin rhētoricabor. Old French rhetoriquebor. Middle English rhetorik, rhetoric English rhetoric Inherited from Middle English rhetorik, rhetoric, borrowed from Old French rhetorique, borrowed from Latin rhētorica, borrowed from Ancient Greek ῥητορικὴ (rhētorikḕ), ellipsis of ῥητορῐκή τέχνη (rhētorĭkḗ tékhnē).