convince

verb con·vince \ kən-ˈvin(t)s \

|Updated on: 9 Aug 2018

Examples: convince in a Sentence

Definition of convince

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

See convince defined for English-language learners

See convince defined for kids

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 of convince from the Web

The spectacle of the president taking policy advice in the Oval Office from Kim Kardashian, a fellow star of reality TV, might convince Democrats that the demise of Western civilisation feared by Governor Brown is already here.

— The Economist, "What’s left?To win back power, Democrats must do things that make them uncomfortable," 14 July 2018
Yet angered, traumatized or otherwise motivated, hundreds of I-4 drivers were convinced the contractor was to be blamed for damages and pursued a claim despite difficulties involved.

— kevin spear, OrlandoSentinel.com, "I-4 construction nightmares: Drivers seeking payment for car damage face daunting odds," 13 July 2018
The Massachusetts Port Authority has convinced state lawmakers to include $100 million in an economic development bill that could be approved by the House of Representatives as soon as Tuesday.

— BostonGlobe.com, "The week in business," 13 July 2018
But Charlotte officials, in speaking with the state and national Republicans, were convinced the competition for the convention was fierce.

— steve harrison and jim morrill, charlotteobserver, "Why did council Democrats wait to oppose RNC? An inside look at Charlotte’s bid.," 13 July 2018
Physicists and astronomers, however, aren't usually convinced that two phenomena are connected until there's no more than a one in 3.5 million, or 5 sigma, probability of a coincidence.

— daniel clery, Science | AAAS, "Ghostly particle caught in polar ice ushers in new way to look at the universe," 12 July 2018
Now not everybody is convinced about the need to hear from Lisa Page.

— Fox News, "Meadows, Dershowitz react after Lisa Page defies subpoena," 12 July 2018
There are plenty of theories, none of which are particularly convincing.

— dylan hernandez, latimes.com, "On the Lakers’ road back to greatness with LeBron, the hardest steps may still lie ahead," 12 July 2018
The summer before his junior season, a close friend convinced Keith to join him at a tryout for Team Texas, one of the best AAU programs in the state.

— peter dawson, star-telegram, "First family of Fort Worth basketball still shining after careers at TCU, Kansas," 12 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'convince.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of convince

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1530

in the meaning defined at sense 2

See Words from the same year

convince Synonyms

Synonyms

argue, bring, bring around, convert, gain, get, induce, move, persuade, prevail (on or upon), satisfy, talk (into), win (over);

Near Antonyms

deter, discourage, dissuade, unsell;

allure, beguile, lead on, lure, seduce, snow, tempt;

brainwash, overpersuade;

incline, influence, move, prompt, sell, sway;

reason (with);

CONVINCE Defined for English Language Learners

convince

verb

Definition of convince for English Language Learners

: to cause (someone) to believe that something is true
: to cause (someone) to agree to do something

CONVINCE Defined for Kids

convince

verb con·vince \ kən-ˈvins \

Definition of convince for Students

convinced; convincing

: to argue so as to make a person agree or believe

She convinced them to go along.

He convinced me it was true.

Learn More about convince

See words that rhyme with convince Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for convince Spanish Central: Translation of convince Nglish: Translation of convince for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of convince for Arabic speakers

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convince

Definition of convince

convincer

Examples of convince in a Sentence

Recent Examples of convince from the Web

Origin and Etymology of convince

convince Synonyms

Synonyms

Near Antonyms

Related Words

CONVINCE Defined for English Language Learners

convince

Definition of convince for English Language Learners

CONVINCE Defined for Kids

convince

Definition of convince for Students

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