1. Relating to rhetoric:
* This is the most common meaning. "Rhetoric" refers to the art of effective or persuasive speaking or writing, especially the use of figures of speech and other compositional techniques.
* Example: "The candidate gave a powerful rhetorical speech that resonated with the audience."
2. Used for effect:
* A rhetorical question is a question asked for effect, not to elicit an answer.
* Example: "Is the sky blue?" (This isn't a question you genuinely need answered; it's a way of emphasizing the obvious.)
3. Exaggerated or insincere:
* In this case, "rhetorical" is used to suggest something is overblown or not meant to be taken seriously.
* Example: "She made a lot of rhetorical claims about her accomplishments."
4. Related to rhetoric as a discipline:
* This meaning applies to the study of rhetoric as a field of academic inquiry.
* Example: "The professor gave a lecture on rhetorical theory."
It's important to understand the context to determine the precise meaning of "rhetorical."