- used for, belonging to, or concerned with mere style or effect, rather than truth, substance, or meaning: Her bold and ingenious analogies, although engaging, are purely rhetorical, adding nothing to our understanding of the issue.
- marked by or tending to use exaggerated language or bombast:Fortunately, the rebel leaders did not have the military power to follow through on their fiery rhetorical eruptions.
- of, relating to, or concerned with rhetoric, or the skillful use of language to persuade people:She had spent hours with her advisors discussing rhetorical strategy, and now it was time to deliver the speech.
- of, relating to, or in reference to a rhetorical question: No need to respond—that was rhetorical.
- concerned with effect or style rather than content or meaning; bombastic
- of or relating to rhetoric or oratory
