SYNONYMS AND RELATED EXPRESSIONS
rhetorical question
noun
A question asked for effect, without expecting an answer.
Local English device voice, when available. This is not a recorded dictionary pronunciation.
Question asked for effect
Closest synonyms
Related words and expressions
These extend or explain the idea and may require a different sentence structure.
Usage distinction
Return to topThese phrases explain the device. An ordinary unanswered question is not necessarily rhetorical; the speaker's intended effect matters.
CHECK THE MEANING IN CONTEXT
See rhetorical question in use
The closing rhetorical question invited reflection rather than a show of hands.
A rhetorical question about discarding useful objects encouraged visitors to reconsider disposal without calling for a spoken reply.
Compare an alternative with the original word in each passage. Shared meanings do not make every pair interchangeable.
Synonym reference scope and sources
The groups distinguish the senses selected for this study entry. Closest synonyms and broader related expressions have separate labels. The listed sources support lexical selection; not every phrase is a direct quotation from a source.
How the synonym reference was prepared / WordNet 3.0 license