If you refer to speech or writing as rhetoric, you disapprove of it because it is intended to convince and impress people but may not be sincere or honest.
[disapproval]
What is required is immediate action, not rhetoric.
The harsh rhetoric had so soured officials that the two sides were barely speaking.
2. uncountable noun
Rhetoric is the skill or art of using language effectively.
[formal]
...the noble institutions of political life, such as political rhetoric and publicservice.
Synonyms: oratory, eloquence, public speaking, speech-making More Synonyms of rhetoric
More Synonyms of rhetoric
rhetoric in British English
(ˈrɛtərɪk)
noun
1.
the study of the technique of using language effectively
2.
the art of using speech to persuade, influence, or please; oratory
3.
excessive use of ornamentation and contrivance in spoken or written discourse; bombast
4.
speech or discourse that pretends to significance but lacks true meaning
all the politician says is mere rhetoric
Word origin
C14: via Latin from Greek rhētorikē (tekhnē) (the art of) rhetoric, from rhētōrrhetor
rhetoric in American English
(ˈrɛtərɪk)
noun
1.
a.
the art of using words effectively in speaking or writing; esp., now, the art of prose composition
b.
skill in this
c.
a treatise or book on this
2.
artificial eloquence; language that is showy and elaborate but largely empty of clear ideas or sincere emotion
Word origin
ME rethorike < OFr or L: OFr rethorique < L rhetorica < Gr rhētorikē (technē), rhetorical (art) < rhētōr, orator: see rhetor
Examples of 'rhetoric' in a sentence
rhetoric
This mismatch between rhetoric and action reflects a simple fact.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The wrong phrase, some harsh rhetoric in a speech can undo years of work in moving the party towards the centre ground.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
This is not the rhetoric used in a healthy relationship.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Within the study of classical rhetoric it is usually held that the emotional effect is paramount.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
There will be new political rhetoric on becoming drug free.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
The gap between rhetoric and action makes it difficult to predict where the government is going.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
The rhetoric has been used as a stick with which to beat him.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
It is time government acted to match its domestic actions with its rhetoric on the world stage.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Senior politicians use incredibly belligerent rhetoric that presents protest as a crime.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Of course the concept of rhetoric can be used both positively and negatively.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
He knows how to use the reform rhetoric but in his actions he stays in the middle politically.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
In political rhetoric a small step in the right direction can be made to sound like at least three.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
The distorting veil of rhetoric and language that divides us from the past remains a force to be reckoned with.
The Times Literary Supplement (2011)
Also interesting was the political rhetoric.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
These costs cannot be borne out of profits, no matter what popular rhetoric may say.
Peter F. Drucker MANAGEMENT: task, responsibilities, practices (1974)
You can't yawn for being bombarded with political rhetoric.
The Sun (2015)
Our leaders are committed to this ideal, but is there solid action behind the rhetoric?
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Such rhetoric may sell books.
Christianity Today (2000)
He criticised his own party for'being too slow in condemning rhetoric that is harsh and intolerable'.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
In other languages
rhetoric
British English: rhetoric NOUN
If you refer to speech or writing as rhetoric, you disapprove of it because it is intended to convince and impress people but may not be sincere or honest.
What is required is immediate action, not rhetoric.
American English: rhetoric
Brazilian Portuguese: retórica
Chinese: 虚华词藻
European Spanish: retórica
French: rhétorique
German: Rhetorik
Italian: retorica
Japanese: 美辞麗句
Korean: 미사여구
European Portuguese: retórica
Latin American Spanish: retórica
1 (noun)
Definition
artificial or exaggerated language
a torrent of warlike rhetoric
Synonyms
hyperbole
rant
As the boss began his rant, I stood up and went out.
hot air (informal)
His justification for the merger was just hot air.
pomposity
She has no time for political jargon and pomposity.
bombast
There were men aboard who could not tolerate his bombast.
wordiness
verbosity
fustian
grandiloquence
magniloquence
His writing has the magniloquence of large-scale small talk.
2 (noun)
Definition
the art of using speech or writing to persuade or influence
the noble institutions, such as political rhetoric
Synonyms
oratory
Neither candidate is noted for oratory or political skill.
eloquence
the eloquence with which he delivered his message
public speaking
speech-making
elocution
He took courses in elocution and acting at the London Academy.
declamation
speechifying
grandiloquence
spieling (informal)
whaikorero (New Zealand)
Additional synonyms
in the sense of bombast
Definition
pompous and flowery language
There were men aboard who could not tolerate his bombast.
Synonyms
pomposity,
ranting,
bragging,
hot air (informal),
bluster,
grandiosity,
braggadocio,
grandiloquence,
rodomontade (literary),
gasconade (rare),
extravagant boasting,
magniloquence
in the sense of elocution
Definition
the art of speaking clearly in public
He took courses in elocution and acting at the London Academy.
Synonyms
diction,
speech,
delivery,
rhetoric,
pronunciation,
utterance,
oratory,
articulation,
public speaking,
intonation,
modulation,
enunciation,
declamation,
speechmaking,
voice production
in the sense of eloquence
Definition
the ability to speak or write in a skilful and convincing way
the eloquence with which he delivered his message
Synonyms
fluency,
effectiveness,
oratory,
expressiveness,
persuasiveness,
forcefulness,
gracefulness,
powerfulness,
whaikorero (New Zealand)
Synonyms of 'rhetoric'
rhetoric
Explore 'rhetoric' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of hot air
Definition
empty and usually boastful talk
His justification for the merger was just hot air.
Synonyms
empty talk,
rant,
guff (slang),
bombast,
wind,
gas (informal),
verbiage,
claptrap (informal),
blather,
bunkum,
blether,
bosh (informal),
tall talk (informal)
in the sense of magniloquence
His writing has the magniloquence of large-scale small talk.
Synonyms
pomposity,
bombast,
pretentiousness,
fustian,
grandiloquence,
loftiness,
turgidity
in the sense of pomposity
She has no time for political jargon and pomposity.
Synonyms
grandiloquence,
rant,
hot air (informal),
bombast,
fustian,
loftiness,
turgidity,
magniloquence
in the sense of rant
Definition
loud excited speech
As the boss began his rant, I stood up and went out.