persuade

verb

per·​suade pər-ˈswād How to pronounce persuade (audio)
persuaded; persuading
Synonyms of persuadenext

transitive verb

1
: to move by argument, entreaty, or expostulation to a belief, position, or course of action
2
: to plead with : urge
persuader noun

Examples of persuade in a Sentence

He persuaded his friend to go back to school. She couldn't be persuaded to go. He would not let himself be persuaded into buying the more expensive stereo. I am not easily persuaded. They persuaded us that we were wrong. He persuaded himself that he had made the right choice.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
They were paid to persuade people to put down their guns, in some cases succeeding. Jenny Gathright, Washington Post, 3 Feb. 2026 Will Leafs management be persuaded by their team’s last two performances? Joshua Kloke, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026 The possibilities persuaded Malinin to apply himself more seriously. Sally Jenkins, The Atlantic, 1 Feb. 2026 Despite the court’s ruling, last week the Education Department again tried to persuade the court to extend the deadline for post-class applicants by a year and a half. Adam S. Minsky, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for persuade

Word History

Etymology

Latin persuadēre, from per- thoroughly + suadēre to advise, urge — more at sweet

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of persuade was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Persuade.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/persuade. Accessed 4 Feb. 2026.

Kids Definition

persuade

verb
per·​suade pər-ˈswād How to pronounce persuade (audio)
persuaded; persuading
: to win over to a belief or to a course of action by argument or earnest request
persuadable
-ˈswād-ə-bəl
adjective
persuader noun

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