rhetorical excess

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "rhetorical excess" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where language or expression is overly elaborate or exaggerated, often to the point of being excessive or unnecessary. Example: "The author's use of rhetorical excess in the speech made it difficult for the audience to grasp the main point."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

Grounding his readings of hyperbole in the history of rhetoric and literary imitation, Johnson traces how rhetorical excess acquires specific cultural, political, aesthetic, and epistemological value.

Stanford University

Even some of his allies consider him prone to rhetorical excess and to occasional scientific error.

The New York Times - Science

Here, O'Reilly provided his friend a valuable service: Rhetorical excess cleanup, that is.

The Washington Post

Mr Obama is guilty not of rhetorical excess but of economic muddle.

The Economist

Therefore, it is unfortunate that in his final chapter Pollack damages his argument by rhetorical excess.

The New York Times - Books

This does not mean unilateral disarmament, but it does mean cooling rhetorical excess.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

López Obrador is clearly wary of President Trump and his rhetorical excesses and policies that negatively affect Mexico and Mexican citizens who live and work in the United States.

The Washington Post

This bipartisan truce has its pluses -- it spared New Yorkers some of the fund-raising and rhetorical excesses that routinely mar judicial campaigns elsewhere.

The New York Times

Mr. Gore has instructed his aides to avoid rhetorical excesses and urged them to act with restraint, one senior aide said.

The New York Times

He may thus have implicitly condemned the rhetorical excesses of the past, but at the same time he did not suggest that they had influenced Loughner.

The Guardian - Opinion

It avoids the extremes of technophilia and technophobia implied in the poems above and often in superficial media depictions and in rhetorical excesses of the players.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "rhetorical excess", provide specific examples of the language or phrasing to support your claim. This adds credibility to your critique and helps the audience understand your point.

Common error

Avoid using "rhetorical excess" to describe everyday exaggerations or minor embellishments. This phrase is best reserved for instances where the language significantly detracts from the message's clarity or credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rhetorical excess" primarily functions as a noun phrase, often used to describe and critique the use of language. It's used to point out situations where expression goes beyond what is necessary or effective, as Ludwig AI confirms.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

71%

Academia

6%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "rhetorical excess" describes overly elaborate or exaggerated language, often undermining clarity or credibility. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable status in written English. It's a noun phrase primarily used for critique, best reserved for situations where language significantly detracts from a message, and is more common in formal writing. Alternatives include "excessive rhetoric" and "overblown language". This phrase often appears in authoritative news sources like The New York Times and The Washington Post.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

excessive rhetoric

Focuses directly on the overabundance of rhetoric.

overblown language

Highlights the inflated and exaggerated nature of the language used.

exaggerated expression

Emphasizes the overstatement in the way something is conveyed.

bombastic speech

Suggests a pompous and inflated style of speaking.

florid prose

Implies an overly ornate and embellished writing style.

inflated oratory

Indicates an exaggerated and often theatrical style of public speaking.

grandiose language

Highlights the pompous and pretentious nature of the language.

hyperbolic terms

Points to the use of hyperbole to overstate a point.

ostentatious verbiage

Focuses on the showy and pretentious use of words.

pompous diction

Implies a self-important and overly formal choice of words.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "rhetorical excess" in a sentence?

To effectively use "rhetorical excess", ensure you're referring to language that's overly embellished or exaggerated to the point of detracting from the message. For example, "The politician's speech suffered from "rhetorical excess", making it difficult to understand the key points".

What are some alternatives to "rhetorical excess"?

Alternatives to "rhetorical excess" include "excessive rhetoric", "overblown language", or "exaggerated expression", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always negative to use "rhetorical excess"?

Yes, "rhetorical excess" generally carries a negative connotation, implying that the language used is detracting from the message's clarity or credibility. It suggests that the speaker or writer is using language in an overly embellished or exaggerated manner.

What's the difference between "rhetorical excess" and simple exaggeration?

"Rhetorical excess" refers to language that is so overly embellished or exaggerated that it becomes detrimental to the message. Simple exaggeration, while also involving overstatement, may not necessarily detract from the overall impact or understanding.