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 of convince

• 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

Newcastle had depleted full-back resources and Jaissle was convinced the 24-year-old’s athleticism was ideal. — George Caulkin, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2026

His mother is convinced some part of him is still there at the family home; his father becomes obsessed with digging up the roots of a legendary oak tree. — The Week Us, TheWeek, 2 Sep. 2026

But Troy Wright, the executive director of the Washington Avenue Business Improvement District, convinced her to do a block party, a big celebration for a big milestone. — Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 2 Sep. 2026

Others, meanwhile, are convinced that a new stadium can only help to bring new business, with visitors filling hotel rooms at the adjacent Westin Kansas City at Crown Center and nearby Sheraton Kansas City Hotel at Crown Center. — Eric Adler, Kansas City Star, 2 Sep. 2026

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