Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • In a rhetorical manner; according to the rules of rhetoric: as, to treat a subject rhetorically; a discourse rhetorically delivered.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • adverb In a rhetorical manner.
  • adverb With reference to rhetoric.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • adverb in a rhetorical manner

Etymologies

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Examples

  • But simply pointing out problems, and waxing rhetorically, is not enough.

    Scott Harshbarger: Yes We Can Reduce Urban Violence (Part I) Scott Harshbarger 2010

  • (Of course, rhetorically is a critical modifier — there are the arguments that the right wants a Court to make law like a legislature as well, but to get there from your comment required assuming more subtlety in your critique than I usually read into a blog comment.)

    The Volokh Conspiracy » Polling on the Court 2010

  • Of course this is true, but you did not merely put a name to it; you called rhetorically, for an action in response to it, and then you used this reversal of the objectifying gaze/logic–which I will say again is not a way out of a patriarchal view of the body–to justify that call.

    Phyllis Schlafly: Punishing Spousal Rape Like Rape Is Malicious 2006

  • I know that blogging rhetorically is probably a mistake, but I have time and it’s a wonderful way to close a bunch of tabs, and contemplate about our existence.

    Blog De Ganz | Archive | February 2009

  • Giuliani’s sole reliance on military force and attacking people rhetorically is in fact a defensive posture that won’t work.

    Thinking in Real Time 2007

  • Giuliani’s sole reliance on military force and attacking people rhetorically is in fact a defensive posture that won’t work.

    Thinking in Real Time 2007

  • Giuliani’s sole reliance on military force and attacking people rhetorically is in fact a defensive posture that won’t work.

    Thinking in Real Time 2007

  • Giuliani’s sole reliance on military force and attacking people rhetorically is in fact a defensive posture that won’t work.

    Thinking in Real Time 2007

  • What I take issue with is his championing the idea rhetorically, but not pursuing it tenaciously.

    D. Brad Wright: Why Won't Obama Lead on Reform? 2009

  • That said, Brown gave a good account of himself rhetorically, which is what this debate is primarily about.

    Queen's Speech Live Blog 2009

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