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

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

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

Back in Twin Peaks, Jerry Horne is convinced that his foot is talking. —Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 20 June 2025

Your knowledge of a topic is often less important than your ability to convince others that your opponent is an idiot. —Diane Brady, Fortune, 20 June 2025

Arguments for return-to-office would need to be compelling to convince voters and lawmakers that Newsom’s about-face is the better policy for the state and its workers. —Erik Skindrud, Mercury News, 19 June 2025

The club has turned the Ohtani contract into a credit card, using the money to lure talent to Los Angeles while convincing the new arrivals to defer salary for down the road. —Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 19 June 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