hypobole means A rhetorical figure in which several things are mentioned that seem to make claims against the argument, or in favor of the opposing side, but are then refuted one by one. Lexicurio rates it Sui generis — a strength score of 87 out of 100.
Why “hypobole” is a great word
HYPOBOLE — [Noun] A rhetorical figure in which several potential objections are introduced and then systematically refuted. From Ancient Greek ὑποβολή (hupobolḗ, "a throwing under, a suggesting"), from ὑπό (hypo, "under") and βάλλω (bállō, "to throw"). The earliest known use in English is from 1704 (John Harris). Unlike *procatalepsis*, which broadly anticipates a single counterargument, or *litotes*, which makes an affirmative point via negation, hypobole is the ordered, architectural dismantling of a fortress of doubt. It is the strategist marking every ambush point on a map as "cleared," the debater parrying a whole volley of blows, or the writer planting a forest of "But what about…?" only to calmly cut each sapling down. This formal rehearsal for victory leaves the field of argument unnervingly bare, a silence where only assent can grow.
Etymology
From Ancient Greek ὑποβολή (hupobolḗ, “a throwing under, a suggesting”), from βάλλω (bállō, “to throw”).
noun
- A rhetorical figure in which several things are mentioned that seem to make claims against the argument, or in favor of the opposing side, but are then refuted one by one.
- A deliberate, intentional understatement.