convince

verb

con·​vince kən-ˈvin(t)s 

convinced; convincing

transitive verb

1

: to bring (as by argument) to belief, consent, or a course of action : persuade

convinced himself that she was all right

—William Faulkner

something I could never convince him to read

—John Lahr

2

obsolete

a

: to overcome by argument

b

: overpower, overcome

3

obsolete : demonstrate, prove

convincer noun

Synonyms

• persuade
• satisfy
• bring

Examples of convince in a Sentence

He convinced me that the story was true.

They convinced us of their innocence.

I managed to convince myself that I was doing the right thing.

We convinced them to go along with our scheme.

I was unable to convince her to stay.

Recent Examples on the Web

My father, whom my mother married and divorced twice, failed to convince me to attend the only college that accepted me. —Rebecca Chace july 14, Literary Hub, 14 July 2025

Isio is convinced that the only way out is to play by the rules, even when her charismatic new roommate, Farah (Ann Akinjirin), warns her otherwise. —Zac Ntim, Deadline, 14 July 2025

But the next morning, just as Debrah prepares to leave, Madea stops her in the hotel lobby and convinces her to attend the ceremony after all. —Emily Blackwood, People.com, 14 July 2025

The scale, violence, and publicity of these operations are meant to convince Americans that detaining immigrants is an emergency that requires a massive deployment of government force. —Agustina Vergara Cid, Oc Register, 13 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin convincere to refute, convict, prove, from com- + vincere to conquer — more at victor

First Known Use

1530, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for convince

• evince
• mince
• prince
• quince
• rinse
• since
• wince

Kids Definition

convince

verb

con·​vince kən-ˈvin(t)s 

convinced; convincing

: to make a person agree or believe by arguing or showing evidence

convinced me it was true

convincer noun