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

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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

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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 The Trump campaign didn’t need the same massive persuasion push in 2024 as the Democrats. Julia Mueller, The Hill, 4 June 2025 It's unaffiliated with any political party or ideological persuasion. Nick Mordowanec, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 May 2025 There’s nothing Donald Trump believes in more than his own power of persuasion. S.e. Cupp, New York Daily News, 4 June 2025 Tusk had promised to relax both bans, but they are supported by some of the more socially conservative lawmakers propping up his government, and the threat of a presidential veto likely renders any efforts at persuasion futile. Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 2 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for persuasion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for persuasion
Noun
  • What the state considers politics, society, faith, economics or religion isn’t spelled out in the guidance, which was informed by an Idaho’s attorney general’s office opinion, according to records and emails obtained by Idaho EdNews.
    Emma Epperly, Idaho Statesman, 28 June 2025
  • In a 6-3 decision that divided along ideological lines, the court said a Maryland public school district’s refusal to allow opt-outs burdens parents’ First Amendment right to freely exercise their religion.
    Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 28 June 2025
Noun
  • Rowling has courted controversy since 2020 for regularly sharing beliefs on social media that many believe are transphobic.
    Zack Sharf, Variety, 22 June 2025
  • After taking Gabriel in the third round, doubling down on Sanders shows a belief in his ability.
    Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 June 2025
Noun
  • The difference was stunning: almost 9x higher conversion.
    Lutz Finger, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025
  • The conversion rate of customers who signed up for a vMVPD after dropping the bundle dropped to 13% during the three-month span, down from the year-ago 28.3%.
    Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 20 June 2025
Noun
  • In the years following its initial cancellation, the series gained a cult following, and HBO picked it up for a second season, which premiered in 2014.
    Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 27 June 2025
  • Leto was photographed with his cult dressed in all white.
    Bethy Squires, Vulture, 26 June 2025
Noun
  • Richie’s work on himself continues to, in my opinion, sustain all hope for humanity.
    Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 26 June 2025
  • In my opinion, being an entrepreneur is more than just launching new businesses and accomplishing objectives.
    Bharath Kumar Kakkireni, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025
Noun
  • And all of the brilliant military minds involved in this attack.
    Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 22 June 2025
  • In a rare, bipartisan meeting of the minds, at least on this issue.
    CBS News, CBS News, 22 June 2025
Noun
  • Painful consequences The lower court, looking carefully at the evidence, found that the overall weight of authority supports gender-affirming care for transgender youth.
    Erwin Chemerinsky, Mercury News, 22 June 2025
  • Others see the Iranian authorities as being behind them.
    Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 21 June 2025
Noun
  • The series garnered more than 190 million views in its premiere week alone, with over 60 million views in just the first week of availability.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 25 June 2025
  • At the heavily fortified Fordow Fuel Enrichment Facility, located deep beneath a mountain near Qom, satellite views reveal multiple craters along the primary access roads and directly at the entrances to tunnel complexes.
    Jasmine Baehr , Kyle Schmidbauer, FOXNews.com, 25 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Persuasion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/persuasion. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.

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