rhetoric

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "rhetoric" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to the art of persuasive speech or writing. For example: "The President's rhetoric about the economic crisis was intended to bolster public confidence."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Too often in the past our rhetoric undermined that positive relationship with business, and with the creation of jobs and wealth for the future.

The Guardian

In what appeared to be pointed criticism of increasingly firm rhetoric from Cameron on multinational tax engineering, Carr insisted tax avoidance "cannot be about morality – there are no absolutes".

The Guardian - Tech

The political rhetoric over immigration will further intensify on Monday as David Cameron promises to ban all EU nationals from claiming most benefits after six months in the UK unless they can prove they have been continuously looking for work over that period.

The Guardian

Because the rhetoric in no way reflected the reality of two and a half years of compromise.

The Guardian - Opinion

These eddies of trouble, the revival of secondary disputes and the mixture of economic policy with diplomatic grievances and popular rhetoric all echo the atmosphere of the early 1930s.

The Guardian - Opinion

Sinn Fein still used aggressive rhetoric for the benefit if its own supporters, while cooing with the British, Irish and US governments about the joys of non-violence.

The Guardian

For all his rhetoric about Munich 1938 and the need to avoid appeasement, Cameron's emphasis in the Ukraine is economic, not military, saying he has been "at the absolute front end of those arguing for broader sanctions".

The Guardian

Related: Rightwing Northern League makes gains in Italian elections Although welcomed by the Italian government, the proposals have done little to deter the anti-immigrant rhetoric of the country's rising far right.

The Guardian

Amid the tit-for-tat statements and inflated rhetoric Albania's chances of qualifying for Euro 2016 have taken a hit.

The Guardian - Sport

It is the first time the Real IRA has engaged in such open anti-capitalist rhetoric or focused on the role of the banking system.

The Guardian

Some say that the aggressive rhetoric has led to more than 70 attacks on HDP campaigners all over Turkey.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Identify the specific type of "rhetoric" by using adjectives like "political", "inflammatory", "persuasive" or "empty" to provide clearer context to your readers.

Common error

Avoid using "rhetoric" as a synonym for a "rhetorical question". While they share a linguistic root, "rhetoric" refers to the overarching art of persuasion or the style of a speaker, whereas a rhetorical question is a specific tool used within that art.

Linguistic Context

As a noun, "rhetoric" functions to categorize the stylistic or persuasive elements of language. In the examples provided by Ludwig, it often serves as the subject or object in sentences analyzing political behavior, such as when Ludwig AI identifies it as a correct way to describe a president's bolstering of public confidence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Reference

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "rhetoric" is a versatile and essential term in the English language, used to describe the complex art of persuasion. Based on data from Ludwig, it is most frequently found in high-level journalistic contexts, where it often serves to point out the gap between political language and legislative reality. Whether referring to the classical skill of "oratory" or the modern critique of "empty talk", the term remains a cornerstone of linguistic and social analysis. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in formal writing, particularly when evaluating the impact of public speeches or written manifestos on public opinion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

oratory

focuses specifically on the skill and delivery of public speaking

persuasion

refers to the intended outcome of rhetorical techniques

eloquence

emphasizes the beauty and fluency of the language used

discourse

a broader term for formal communication or debate within a specific field

public speaking

the literal activity of delivering a speech to an audience

wordcraft

highlights the technical skill involved in composing text or speech

empty talk

captures the pejorative sense of language lacking substance or action

grandiloquence

specifically describes a pompous or colorful style of language

bombast

implies high-sounding language with little actual meaning

palaver

suggests prolonged, idle or misleading talk

FAQs

How to use "rhetoric" in a sentence?

You can use "rhetoric" to describe the way someone speaks or writes, for example: "The candidate's populist "rhetoric" resonated with the crowd but lacked specific policy details."

What can I say instead of "rhetoric"?

Depending on the context, you can use terms like "oratory", "wordcraft", "persuasion" or "empty talk".

Is "rhetoric" always a negative word?

No, it has a neutral academic meaning referring to the study and art of persuasion. However, in modern politics, it is often used pejoratively to imply that a speaker's words are insincere or not backed by action.

What is the difference between "rhetoric" and "oratory"?

While related, "oratory" specifically refers to the performance and skill of public speaking, while "rhetoric" is a broader category that includes the theory, style and structure of both written and spoken persuasive communication.