The Collaborative International Dictionary
Rhetorical \Rhe*tor"ic*al\, a. [L. rhetoricus, Gr. ????. See Rhetoric.] Of or pertaining to rhetoric; according to, or exhibiting, rhetoric; oratorical; as, the rhetorical art; a rhetorical treatise; a rhetorical flourish.
They permit him to leave their poetical taste
ungratified, provided that he gratifies their
rhetorical sense.
--M. Arnold.
[1913 Webster] -- Rhe*tor"ic*al*ly, adv. --
Rhe*tor"ic*al*ness, n.
Wiktionary
adv. 1 In a rhetorical manner. 2 With reference to rhetoric.
WordNet
adv. in a rhetorical manner; "`What can be done?' he asked rhetorically"
Usage examples of "rhetorically".
In these circumstances, the Kellogg-Briand language of peace became, rhetorically and legally, a double-edged sword: used, in the new draft constitution, to protect the emperor even as it was being unsheathed to cut down his erstwhile officers and officials.
Taylor put it, this stance therefore buries its own tracks, and then spends its time loudly and rhetorically denouncing all those who do not have the duplicity to likewise conceal their own position.
Drusus asked rhetorically, pointed brows raised even as he dropped his voice.
Its style is rhetorically and poetically colored, but its construction is strictly narrative.
One of the best thrusts in all the Shavian fencing matches is that which occurs when Richard Dudgeon, condemned to be hanged, asks rhetorically why he cannot be shot like a soldier.
Bad Clams asked rhetorically as he strode to the stack of matte-black audiovideo equipment that glowed like the control in an airplane cockpit.
Had voyage in nautic history, I asked rhetorically, ever begun so crossed as ours whose wreckage that day's mural had fixed forever?
Chipo demanded rhetorically, trying to pick a quarrel with his sister as they used their fingers to pick out pieces of fish from their wooden bowls.