Robertson Davies
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However hard we try, we can’t cajole the full history of cajole from the cages of obscurity. We know that it comes from the French verb cajoler, meaning “to give much attention to; to make a fuss over; to flatter or persuade with flattery,” and goes back to the Middle French cajoller, meaning “to flatter out of self-interest.” But the next chapter of the word’s history may, or may not, be for the birds: it’s possible that cajoller relates to the Middle French verb cageoller, used for the action of a jay or other bird singing. Cageoller, in turn, traces back to gaiole, a word meaning “birdcage” in a dialect of Picardy.
Examples of cajole in a Sentence
Editorial, Boston Herald, 31 May 2026
Now, her portrayal of Zosia, the hive mind emissary sent to cajole Rhea Seehorn’s Carol into joining the world’s collective consciousness in Vince Gilligan’s Apple TV sci-fi tale of a happiness apocalypse, has stirred up Emmy buzz.
—Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 31 May 2026
Nearby, a group of teenage boys try their luck on a slackline over a pool six-and-a-half-feet deep before cajoling each other up to the cliff diving platforms.
—Lauren Keith, Robb Report, 30 May 2026
Reports claimed Hardy was regularly late to the set and often had to be cajoled into action.
—Lauryn Overhultz, FOXNews.com, 27 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for cajole
Cite this Entry
“Cajole.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cajole. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
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