Definition of RHETORICS (original) (raw)
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
b
: the study of writing or speaking as a means of communication or persuasion
2
a
: skill in the effective use of speech
b
: a type or mode of language or speech
Synonyms
Examples of rhetoric in a Sentence
The media almost never discuss what the sweeping dismantling of public services inherent in the rhetoric of the antigovernment movement would mean in practice. —
E. J. Dionne, Jr., Commonweal, 20 Nov. 2009 What they are in reality are the romantic words of a man who needs glorious rhetoric to cover up murderous reality. —Pete Hamill, Cosmopolitan, April 1976 No speech could have been more thoroughly honest in its intention: the frigid rhetoric at the end was as sincere as the bark of a dog, or the cawing of an amorous rook. —George Eliot, Middlemarch, 1872 Otherwise he might have been a great general, blowing up all sorts of towns, or he might have been a great politician, dealing in all sorts of parliamentary rhetoric; but as it was, he and the Court of Chancery had fallen upon each other in the pleasantest way, and nobody was much the worse … —Charles Dickens, Bleak House, 1852-53
a college course in rhetoric the mayor's promise to fight drugs was just rhetoric, since there was no money in the city budget for a drug program
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Because of the rhetoric out there, this is an opportunity for boards to reengage in a discussion on what is our DEI agenda and commitment at a board level, and truly reengage all directors in that conversation. —Megan Poinski, Forbes, 3 Feb. 2025 However, the hostile environment created by anti-Asian rhetoric and violence has stifled their ability to contribute fully. —John Wang, New York Daily News, 2 Feb. 2025 Some of the rhetoric from Halle begs the question: is the AfD infatuated with Trump? —Sebastian Shukla, CNN, 1 Feb. 2025 Because a lot of the rhetoric involving gender-affirming care for minors is under the impression that minors are undergoing surgery, or minors are undergoing hormone replacement therapy, when in reality prepubescent children only go on hormone blockers, typically. —Spencer MacNaughton, Them, 1 Feb. 2025 See all Example Sentences for rhetoric 
Word History
Etymology
Middle English rethorik, from Anglo-French rethorique, from Latin rhetorica, from Greek rhētorikē, literally, art of oratory, from feminine of rhētorikos of an orator, from rhētōr orator, rhetorician, from eirein to say, speak — more at word
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of rhetoric was in the 14th century
Dictionary Entries Near rhetoric
Cite this Entry
“Rhetoric.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rhetoric. Accessed 14 Feb. 2025.
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Last Updated: 6 Feb 2025 - Updated example sentences
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