Definitions for: Rhetorical

[adj] concerned with effect or style of writing and speaking; "a rhetorical question is one asked solely to produce an effect (especially to make an assertion) rather than to elicit a reply"
[adj] of or relating to rhetoric; "accepted two or three verbal and rhetorical changes I suggested"- W.A.White; "the rhetorical sin of the meaningless variation"- Lewis Mumford

Webster (1913) Definition: Rhe*tor"ic*al, a. [L. rhetoricus, Gr. ????. See
Rhetoric.]
Of or pertaining to rhetoric; according to, or exhibiting,
rhetoric; oratorical; as, the rhetorical art; a rhetorical
treatise; a rhetorical flourish.

They permit him to leave their poetical taste
ungratified, provided that he gratifies their
rhetorical sense. --M. Arnold.
-- Rhe*tor"ic*al*ly, adv. -- Rhe*tor"ic*al*ness, n.

Synonyms: anapaestic, anapestic, bombastic, declamatory, embellished, empurpled, flowery, forensic, grandiloquent, large, magniloquent, oratorical, ornate, orotund, over-embellished, poetic, poetical, purple, stylistic, tall, tumid, turgid

Antonyms: unrhetorical

See Also: fancy, figurative, formal, nonliteral

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