rhetoric

5 definitions • 3 examples

speech or writing intended to be effective and influence people:

How far the president will be able to translate his campaign rhetoric into action remains to be seen.

I was swayed by her rhetoric into donating all my savings to the charity.

the study of the ways of using language effectively

clever language that sounds good but is not sincere or has no real meaning:

In reply to the question, he just produced a lot of empty (= meaningless) rhetoric.

speech or writing that is effective and persuasive

Rhetoric is also the art of speaking and writing effectively, or the study of this art.