persuade

1 of 2

verb

per·​suade pər-ˈswād 

persuaded; persuading

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

persuader

2 of 2

noun

per·​suad·​er

-də(r)

plural -s

1

: one that persuades

2

: something (as a gun or whip) used in compelling

Synonyms of persuade

Verb

• convince
• satisfy

Examples of persuade in a Sentence

Verb

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

Verb

And Michael was obviously the most on my case, and there was no persuading him otherwise. — Ellise Shafer, Variety, 31 Oct. 2026

In 2020, Ben Motal aptly persuaded the Court of Appeals that the FOIA's right to copy records includes photographing them, after Little Rock incredibly barred him from snapping a picture of an accident report. — Arkansas Online, 30 Oct. 2026

Carson didn’t answer her phone right away, silencing it until her husband persuaded her to call back. — Stacy Keltner, The Conversation, 30 Oct. 2026

Alas, voter mistrust of Springfield politicians was so high that a majority of voters proved unable to be persuaded that fiscal discipline — not a restrictive constitutional amendment — was the right solution. — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 30 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

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

First Known Use

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for persuade

• afraid
• allayed
• arcade
• arrayed
• assayed
• barmaid
• betrayed
• blockade
• bridesmaid
• brigade
• brocade
• buffeted

Kids Definition

persuade

verb

per·​suade pər-ˈswād 

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