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Glite Dictionary
powerful rhetoric

powerful rhetoric

6.7
Speech or writing that strongly convinces and moves people
  • noun
  • /ˈpaʊərfəl ˈrɛtərɪk/
translation icon : retórica poderosa
  • His book is renowned for its powerful rhetoric that deeply resonates with readers.

Examples

  • During the debate, she used powerful rhetoric to convince her opponents of her viewpoint.

  • It was at the caliph's court that the handsome Khan of Tovin learned his wisdom and his powerful rhetoric.

    Academic text (1998)

  • The politician's speech was filled with powerful rhetoric that inspired the audience to take action.

Synonyms

rhetoric
vspowerful rhetoric
  • Formal
56 7.5

The art of using language to persuade people when speaking or writing

is more emotionally forceful and focused on dramatic impact than study of technique
eloquence
vspowerful rhetoric
20 6.1

The skill of speaking clearly and strongly to persuade people

leans more toward strong emotional impact and public persuasion than polished skill
way with words
vspowerful rhetoric
13 5.0

Skill at speaking or writing in a pleasant, convincing way

tends to be an informal personal skill rather than strongly persuasive or emotive speech
persuasiveness
vspowerful rhetoric
1 5.2

Ability to make someone believe or do something

relies more on strong emotional force and dramatic effect rather than just reason
rhetorical language
vspowerful rhetoric
7.3

Language used to persuade people with strong words and images

adds extra emotional force and broader impact beyond mere persuasion
fulminous speech
vspowerful rhetoric
9.9

A strong speech that makes people feel excited or amazed

focuses more on high intensity and captivation than deliberate persuasion

How Persuasive

powerful rhetoric
6.7
political rhetoric
  • Literature
8 7.1

Surface Forms

rhetoric singular
rhetorics plural

Morphology

powerful + rhetoric

The meaning 'language that is especially persuasive and impactful' is directly derivable from combining 'powerful' (strong, influential) with 'rhetoric' (persuasive language); the adjective straightforwardly modifies the noun. This is a regular adjective+noun composition common across languages, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents can infer the MWE's meaning.

Etymology

Powerful rhetoric pairs powerful and rhetoric, and rhetoric is 'speech that tries to persuade'. Imagine words like a strong wind or a tool that pushes people, and that's why it means language that moves people and helps 'to persuade' them.