Definition of persuasionnext
1
as in convincing
the act of reasoning or pleading with someone to accept a belief or course of action the suffragists' gradual persuasion of the American people that voting rights had to be extended to women

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in religion
a body of beliefs and practices regarding the supernatural and the worship of one or more deities debating theology with someone of a different persuasion

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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Synonym Chooser

How does the noun persuasion contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of persuasion are belief, conviction, opinion, sentiment, and view. While all these words mean "a judgment one holds as true," persuasion suggests a belief grounded on assurance (as by evidence) of its truth.

was of the persuasion that everything changes

When might belief be a better fit than persuasion?

In some situations, the words belief and persuasion are roughly equivalent. However, belief implies often deliberate acceptance and intellectual assent.

a firm belief in her party's platform

When could conviction be used to replace persuasion?

The meanings of conviction and persuasion largely overlap; however, conviction applies to a firmly and seriously held belief.

the conviction that animal life is as sacred as human

When is opinion a more appropriate choice than persuasion?

The words opinion and persuasion are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, opinion implies a conclusion thought out yet open to dispute.

each expert seemed to have a different opinion

Where would sentiment be a reasonable alternative to persuasion?

The synonyms sentiment and persuasion are sometimes interchangeable, but sentiment suggests a settled opinion reflective of one's feelings.

her feminist sentiments are well-known

When can view be used instead of persuasion?

The words view and persuasion can be used in similar contexts, but view suggests a subjective opinion.

very assertive in stating his views

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of persuasion Californians of every political persuasion should want election results that are both accurate and timely. Matt Klink, Oc Register, 10 June 2026 As political disagreements have splintered the nation, Americans of every political persuasion have raised the flag to display pride or protest. Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 6 June 2026 Most people get information about politics and current events not from newspapers but from social media, which discourages engagement with human beings of different political persuasions. Jeffrey Rosen, The Atlantic, 6 June 2026 Whether owners can get a cap — either by persuasion through the fall and winter, or more likely by canceling games next spring so players go unpaid — remains to be seen. Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for persuasion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for persuasion
Noun
  • Before data clean rooms entered the marketing lexicon, affiliate networks were stitching together click-to-conversion paths across devices and sessions to assign attribution.
    Lauren Newman, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
  • The plasma process also produced very little smoke or tar, reducing harmful secondary pollutants typically associated with biomass conversion and making the technology a cleaner way to produce renewable solid fuel.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 1 July 2026
Noun
  • Some proponents of the curriculum changes dispute arguments that children will be explicitly taught religion, saying the Biblical passages and stories will be taught in the context of world history.
    Elizabeth Wolfe, CNN Money, 26 June 2026
  • Be smart and avoid arguments about politics, religion and controversial issues.
    Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 26 June 2026
Noun
  • As Jupiter and Chiron clash, explore new beliefs or ideas without committing to them – yet.
    USA TODAY, USA Today, 1 July 2026
  • Beyond the importance of education, he was also motivated by his own beliefs about the role of wealth in society and China’s national development.
    Russell Flannery, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
Noun
  • Mathematically, if quality is seven and acceptance is four, effectiveness is 28.
    Thomas Lim, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
  • For Tokyo, that complicates the effectiveness of any unilateral intervention.
    Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 1 July 2026
Noun
  • And social media is presumably where AI will do much of its persuading.
    Robert Wright, Fortune, 24 June 2026
  • The 70-year-old was explaining how the revival came about through years-long persuading of Emmy-winning creator and executive producer Linwood Boomer.
    Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • In 2001, she was cast as Samantha Darko in Richard Kelly’s cult film Donnie Darko starring Jake Gyllenhaal in the title role.
    Greg Evans, Deadline, 30 June 2026
  • The black-and-white, slapstick silent comedy made for just $150,000 became a cult hit surpassing over $1 million in box office after launching a tour of the film around the Midwest, not the coasts.
    Brian Welk, IndieWire, 29 June 2026
Noun
  • Coney Barrett signed on to the majority opinion that Roberts wrote, and Kavanaugh concurred.
    Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026
  • Maureen Groppe What will the justices do after wrapping up today’s final opinions?
    Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 1 July 2026
Noun
  • But his dictionary, with its conclusiveness, was a huge publishing success.
    Louis Menand, New Yorker, 22 Dec. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Persuasion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/persuasion. Accessed 3 Jul. 2026.

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