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

It was rigged for Robert; I won’t be convinced otherwise. —Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Nov. 2025

Border Patrol Agents arrested several of the undocumented employees in operations over the summer, and convinced others to provide information that will likely help prosecutors prove intent. —Christopher Cann, USA Today, 28 Nov. 2025

Ukrainian and European officials strongly opposed that version of the peace plan and Yermak’s delegation managed to convince the US to revise it. —Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 28 Nov. 2025

Though James, Lydia, and their Aunt Ophelia (Dagny Dewath) are convinced that Cordelia has left her children primary ownership of the Beaufort company, the will leaves everything to Mortimer. —Kayti Burt, Time, 28 Nov. 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