rhetorical question

rhetorical question
noun
a statement that is formulated as a question but that is not supposed to be answered
-

he liked to make his points with rhetorical questions

• Hypernyms: ↑statement

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noun
: a question not intended to elicit an answer but asked for rhetorical effect often with an assumption that only one answer is possible (as in “Who does not love his country?”)

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a question asked solely to produce an effect or to make an assertion and not to elicit a reply, as "What is so rare as a day in June?"
[1835-45]

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rhetorical question noun
A question in form only, made for effect and not calling for an answer
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Main Entry: ↑rhetor

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rhetorical question UK US noun [countable] [singular rhetorical question plural rhetorical questions] linguistics
a question that you ask without expecting or wanting an answer
Thesaurus: questioning and types of questionssynonym

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rhetorical question,
a question asked only for effect, not for information. Example: “Who can tell whether or not life exists on other planets?”

Useful english dictionary. 2012.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • rhetorical question — is an assertion put in the form of a question without expecting an answer, e.g. Who do they think they are? …   Modern English usage

  • rhetorical question — n. a question asked only for effect, as to emphasize a point, no answer being expected …   English World dictionary

  • Rhetorical question — A rhetorical question is a figure of speech in the form of a question posed for its persuasive effect without the expectation of a reply.[1] Rhetorical questions encourage the listener to think about what the (often obvious) answer to the… …   Wikipedia

  • rhetorical question — UK / US noun [countable] Word forms rhetorical question : singular rhetorical question plural rhetorical questions linguistics a question that you ask without expecting or wanting an answer …   English dictionary

  • rhetorical question — noun a) A question posed only for dramatic or persuasive effect. Are you nuts? Dont answer that its a rhetorical question. b) A question to which the asker does not expect an answer …   Wiktionary

  • rhetorical question — question whose answer is clear, question that was asked solely for the purpose of making an impression …   English contemporary dictionary

  • rhetorical question — rhe,torical question noun count a question you ask without expecting or wanting an answer …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • rhetorical question — a question asked solely to produce an effect or to make an assertion and not to elicit a reply, as What is so rare as a day in June? [1835 45] * * * …   Universalium

  • rhetorical question — rhetor′ical ques′tion n. a question asked solely for effect and not to elicit a reply, as “What is so rare as a day in June?” • Etymology: 1835–45 …   From formal English to slang

  • rhetorical question — /rətɒrɪkəl ˈkwɛstʃən / (say ruhtorikuhl kweschuhn) noun a question designed to produce an effect and not to draw an answer …  

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