persuasion

per·sua·sion

noun \pər-ˈswā-zhən\

Definition of PERSUASION

1

a : the act or process or an instance of persuading

b : a persuading argument

c : the ability to persuade : persuasiveness

2

: the condition of being persuaded

3

a : an opinion held with complete assurance

b : a system of religious beliefs; also : a group adhering to a particular system of beliefs

4

: kind, sort

Examples of PERSUASION

1. It would take a lot of persuasion to get him to agree to such an offer.
2. Most kids don't need much persuasion to use computers.
3. people of all different persuasions

Origin of PERSUASION

Middle English persuasioun, from Middle French or Latin; Middle French persuasion, from Latin persuasion-, persuasio, from persuadēre

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to PERSUASION

Synonyms

conversion, convincing, inducement, inducing, persuading, suasion

Antonyms

inconclusiveness, ineffectiveness, ineffectuality, ineffectualness

Related Words

blandishment, cajolement, cajolery, coaxing, entreaty, exhortation, urging, wheedling; seduction, tempting; influencing, prompting, swaying; lobbying, pressuring; brainwashing, overpersuasion

Near Antonyms

agnosticism, know-nothingism; atheism, godlessness, nonbelief, secularism, unbelief

See Synonym Discussion at opinion

Rhymes with PERSUASION

Abkhazian, abrasion, Caucasian, corrasion, dissuasion, Eurasian, evasion, invasion, occasion, pervasion,

per·sua·sion

noun \pər-ˈswā-zhən\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of PERSUASION

: a method of treating neuroses consisting essentially in rational conversation and reeducation