rhet·o·ric
ˈre-tə-rik
1
: the art of speaking or writing effectively: such as
a
: the study of principles and rules of composition formulated by critics of ancient times
classical rhetoric
b
: the study of writing or speaking as a means of communication or persuasion
students/scholars of rhetoric
took a college course in rhetoric
2
a
: skill in the effective use of speech
b
: a type or mode of language or speech
angry rhetoric
also
: insincere or grandiloquent language
the rhetoric of politics
a speech free of empty rhetoric
… Julius Caesar is a highly rhetorical play, a play that both deploys rhetoric for dramatic purposes and investigates the consequences of its deployment for political purposes. —Stanley Wells
rhe·tor·ic
ri-ˈtȯr-ik
-ˈtär-
less common variant of rhetorical
1
a
: of, relating to, or concerned with the art of speaking or writing formally and effectively especially as a way to persuade or influence people
a rhetorical device/style
The ancient Greeks had a word for this kind of rhetorical move—apophasis, or, the art of bringing up a subject in a debate by claiming not to be bringing it up.—Patrick T. Brown
b
: employed for rhetorical effect
especially
: asked merely for effect with no answer expected
a rhetorical question
2
a
: given to rhetoric : grandiloquent
… an essayistic chronicle of American society and politics written with a few rhetorical flourishes …—Daniel Aaron
b
: verbal
Cite this Entry
“Rhetoric.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rhetoric. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.
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