Word meaning
rhetoric
noun · RET-er-ik
What does rhetoric mean?
Rhetoric means the art of effective or persuasive speaking or writing; also, language that sounds impressive but lacks substance.
Rhetoric in a sentence
“The campaign was heavy on rhetoric and light on plans.”
Synonyms for rhetoric
- oratory
- eloquence
- bombast
Where does rhetoric come from?
From Greek rhētorikē, "the art of an orator."
How to remember rhetoric
- Say it out loud a few times: RET-er-ik.
- Write one sentence of your own using rhetoric, about something that happened to you today.
- Quiz yourself tomorrow, in three days, and next week. Spaced reviews are what make new words stick.
More words worth knowing
- persevere — to continue in a course of action despite difficulty.
- bequeath — to leave property to someone in a will; to pass something on.
- scrupulous — diligent, thorough, and extremely attentive to details; very concerned to avoid doing wrong.
- punctilious — showing great attention to detail or correct behavior.
- caustic — sarcastic in a scathing and bitter way; also, able to burn by chemical action.
- complacent — showing uncritical satisfaction with oneself or one's achievements.