Aposiopesis
Noun
- The device of suddenly breaking off in speech.
Example Sentences
“During the emotional press conference, the athlete ended in aposiopesis as he struggled to maintain composure.”
“The character’s overwhelming grief in the final scene came across with repeated use of aposiopesis.”
“The speechwriter planned strategic aposiopesis, allowing the audience to draw their own conclusions.”
Word Origin
Greek, late 16th century
Why this word?
Let’s start with the pronunciation of this tricky-sounding rhetorical device. You can click on the speaker icon above to hear it, or you can sound it out: ap-uh-siy-uh-PEES-uhs. Once you have the pronunciation down, there’s a very simple explanation: suddenly breaking off in speech. For example, “I can’t believe…” We’ve all heard examples of aposiopesis in action, perhaps when someone is chatting with a friend while killing time, and then their teacher or boss walks in and all conversation comes to a halt. Or maybe someone is gossiping and the subject of the story enters the room — aposiopesis. Use this rhetorical device in your writing to convey intense emotion or draw the audience in, compelling them to want to know what comes after the cutoff.
top picks in optimism network
Word Daily is part of Optimism, which publishes content that uplifts, informs, and inspires.
-
More brands you’ll love
Elevate Your Everyday
More brands you’ll loveElevate Your Everyday
Subscribe to Better Report to receive tips and tricks that will save you money, maximize your time, and improve your life.
Subscribe to Better Report
By clicking “Subscribe” you’re agreeing to Better Report Terms of Use and Privacy Policy
