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

No rational argument could convince them otherwise. —Nataliya Gumenyuk, The Dial, 21 Apr. 2026

Schlittler last pitched at Fenway his senior year of high school in an area prospects showcase organized by Yankees scout Matt Hyde, who eventually convinced the club to draft the pitcher out of Northeastern in 2022. —Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 21 Apr. 2026

For that reason, Seligman isn’t convinced that an appeal from the DOJ on the issue isn’t imminent, even as the CAPE submissions continue to roll in. —Kate Nishimura, Footwear News, 21 Apr. 2026

But De Zerbi will have to go and lift the players again, and convince them all is not lost. —Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 20 Apr. 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