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Glite Dictionary
rhetorically

rhetorically

15 7.0
In a way that uses words to make a strong point, not to get an answer
  • adverb
  • /rɪˈtɔrɪkli/
translation icon : retóricamente
  • He often speaks rhetorically, posing questions that don't expect an answer but encourage thought.
  • ask rhetorically
  • rhetorically powerful
  • rhetorically effective

He makes a very strong case rhetorically.

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Examples

  • Before proceeding further though, let me ask rhetorically the question.

  • Indeed, the connection between the two women is rhetorically cemented through the repetition of key words.

    Academic text (1994)

  • "What influence were we under then?" she asks rhetorically, since we have seen exactly what she sees.

    Academic text (2013)

  • "How could anyone live in such a terrible environment?" Alfred was talking rhetorically to himself.

    Fiction book (1991)

  • In a very small, plaintive voice, she rhetorically asked, "What on earth will I make for dinner?"

    Fiction book (1997)

  • The theory of well-functioning markets is rhetorically powerful, universal, and easy to articulate.

    Academic text (2017)

  • Quillin asks rhetorically, "What is the mission of a GALA chorus in a post-Will-and-Grace society?"

    Academic text (2015)

  • President Carlos Salinas asked rhetorically, "Do you want our tomatoes or our tomato pickers?"

    Academic text (1997)

  • The teacher asked rhetorically, "Do we really want to repeat the mistakes of the past?"

  • She commented rhetorically, suggesting that everyone already knew the answer to the question.

Synonyms

eloquently
vsrhetorically
46 5.1

In a clear, confident, and moving way when speaking or writing

focuses on making a point rather than stylish expression
persuasively
vsrhetorically
7 3.7

In a way that convinces people to believe or do something

aims to make a point without necessarily seeking belief or action

Antonyms

unpersuasively
6.4

In a way that does not convince other people

How Persuasive

persuasively
7 3.7
rhetorically
15 7.0
eloquently
46 5.1
plainly
68 1.8

Surface Forms

rhetorically positive

Morphology

rhetorically = rhetorical (transparent) = rhetoric + al + ly

The adverb is formed by adding the productive adverbial suffix '-ly' to the adjective 'rhetorical', resulting in the expected meaning 'in a rhetorical manner'.

Etymology

Rhetorically comes from the Greek rhetor meaning 'speaker' and from rhetoric, the skill of speaking to convince others. So when you ask something rhetorically you are using words to make a point like a skilled speaker, not expecting an answer.