persuade
To successfully convince (someone) to agree to, accept, or do something, usually through reasoning and verbal influence.
Word facts
Definition of Persuade
To urge, plead; to try to convince (someone to do something).
Example sentences
That salesman was able to persuade me into buying this bottle of lotion.
Using Persuade well
A closer look at how persuade is used — meaning in plain English, how close synonyms differ, and examples at different levels.
To make someone agree to do or believe something by giving them good reasons.
Use persuade when someone succeeds in changing another person's mind or actions through reasoning, appeal, or argument. It suits contexts of debate, marketing, negotiation, and everyday requests where the outcome is genuine agreement rather than force.
Sales and advertising, essays and rhetoric, negotiations, courtrooms, politics, and everyday conversations about changing minds.
Do not confuse persuade with convince: in careful usage you persuade someone to do something (an action) and convince someone that something is true (a belief). The distinction is fading, but editors still watch for it.
- convince
- Often overlaps with persuade, but leans toward changing what someone believes (their mind), whereas persuade classically leans toward getting them to act.
- coax
- Softer and gentler; suggests patient, flattering, or gradual encouragement rather than reasoned argument.
- cajole
- Similar to coax but with a hint of manipulation or wheedling, sometimes against the person's better judgment.
- sway
- Emphasizes influencing someone's opinion or decision, often subtly or emotionally; the shift may be partial rather than full agreement.
- prevail upon
- More formal; implies finally winning someone over after effort, often to grant a request or favor.
- dissuade
- The direct opposite: to talk someone out of doing something.
- deter
- To discourage an action, usually through warning, obstacle, or fear rather than argument.
- discourage
- Milder and broader; to make someone less willing or confident, not necessarily about a specific decision.
- Beginner I tried to persuade my friend to come to the party with me.
- In writing The lawyer used clear evidence and calm reasoning to persuade the jury of her client's innocence.
- Advanced A great essay does not browbeat the reader; it persuades by anticipating every objection and answering it before it can harden into resistance.
Persuade ends in -suade, related to Latin for advising or urging; think of gently urging someone toward a choice.
Synonyms for Persuade
Antonyms for Persuade
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FAQ
Questions people ask
What does persuade mean?
To successfully convince (someone) to agree to, accept, or do something, usually through reasoning and verbal influence. It is a verb.
How many syllables does persuade have?
There are 2 syllables in persuade, divided as purs·wayd when spoken.
What part of speech is persuade?
In a sentence, persuade functions as a verb. As a verb, it describes an action or state.
What are synonyms for persuade?
Close in meaning to persuade are carry, sway — choose the one whose tone fits your sentence.
How do you use persuade in a sentence?
Example: "That salesman was able to persuade me into buying this bottle of lotion."