paralipsis

/ˌparəˈlɪsɪs/

Definitions

1. noun

A rhetorical device in which the speaker indirectly addresses an absent or unmentioned person or group, as if they were present.

“The politician’s speech contained a paralipsis of his opponents, referring to them only as ‘those who disagree with us’.”

Synonyms

  • allusion
  • digression

Antonyms

  • direct address
  • mention