apophases
/əˈpɑfəˌsiz/
noun
- A rhetorical device in which a speaker mentions something by saying they will not mention it (e.g., 'I won't even mention his past mistakes').
- Apophasis can be a clever way to draw attention to a topic without directly stating it.
- The politician used apophasis when he said, 'I will not discuss my opponent's scandalous behavior.'
- In her speech, she employed apophasis to bring up the rumor while pretending to ignore it.
Synonyms