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persuade

/pərˈsweɪd/

/pəˈswɛɪd/

Other forms: persuaded; persuading; persuades

If you get talked into something, you've been persuaded. If your friends try to persuade you to swan-dive into a dangerous ravine, it's time to find some new friends.

To persuade is to get your way — win the argument, convince the group to see your favorite movie, get your parents to let you borrow the car. You persuade with language, with a carefully constructed argument, and with the strength of your conviction. The word is sometimes used tongue-in-cheek to describe the very opposite of a carefully worded argument. A movie gangster might "persuade" people with the gun he keeps tucked in his pocket.

Definitions of persuade
  1. verb
    cause somebody to adopt a certain position, belief, or course of action; twist somebody's arm
    “You can't persuade me to buy this ugly vase!”
    see moresee less
    Antonyms:
    deter, dissuade
    turn away from by persuasion
    types:
    show 20 types...
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    hustle
    pressure or urge someone into an action
    bring around, bring round
    cause to adopt an opinion or course of action
    badger
    persuade through constant efforts
    sell
    persuade somebody to accept something
    chat up
    talk to someone with the aim of persuading him
    talk into
    persuade somebody to do something
    rope in
    draw in as if with a rope; lure
    blarney, cajole, coax, inveigle, palaver, sweet-talk, wheedle
    influence or urge by gentle urging, caressing, or flattering
    convert, convince, win over
    make (someone) agree, understand, or realize the truth or validity of something
    brainwash
    persuade completely, often through coercion
    assure
    assure somebody of the truth of something with the intention of giving the listener confidence
    charm, influence, tempt
    induce into action by using one's charm
    prevail
    use persuasion successfully
    drag
    persuade to come away from something attractive or interesting
    tempt
    try presumptuously
    soft-soap
    persuade someone through flattery
    bewitch, magnetise, magnetize, mesmerise, mesmerize, spellbind
    attract strongly, as if with a magnet
    reassure
    give or restore confidence in; cause to feel sure or certain
    browbeat, bully, swagger
    discourage or frighten with threats or a domineering manner; intimidate
    disarm
    make less hostile; win over
    type of:
    cause, get, have, induce, make, stimulate
    cause to do; cause to act in a specified manner
  2. verb
    win approval or support for
    synonyms: carry, sway
    carry
    win in an election
    see moresee less
    type of:
    act upon, influence, work
    have and exert influence or effect
Pronunciation
US

/pərˈsweɪd/

UK

/pəˈswɛɪd/

DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘persuade'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback
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