convincing

adjective

con·​vinc·​ing kən-ˈvin(t)-siŋ 

1

: satisfying or assuring by argument or proof

a convincing test of a new product

2

: having power to convince of the truth, rightness, or reality of something : plausible

told a convincing story

convincingly

kən-ˈvin(t)-siŋ-lē 

adverb

convincingness noun

Synonyms

• cogent
• compelling
• conclusive
• decisive
• effective
• forceful
• persuasive
• satisfying
• strong
• telling

Choose the Right Synonym for convincing

valid, sound, cogent, convincing, telling mean having such force as to compel serious attention and usually acceptance.

valid implies being supported by objective truth or generally accepted authority.

a valid reason for being absent

a valid marriage

sound implies a basis of flawless reasoning or of solid grounds.

a sound proposal for reviving the economy

cogent may stress either weight of sound argument and evidence or lucidity of presentation.

the prosecutor's cogent summation won over the jury

convincing suggests a power to overcome doubt, opposition, or reluctance to accept.

a convincing argument for welfare reform

telling stresses an immediate and crucial effect striking at the heart of a matter.

a telling example of bureaucratic waste

Examples of convincing in a Sentence

Your argument isn't very convincing.

They make a convincing case for reform.

There is no convincing evidence to support his theory.

Recent Examples on the Web

And the actors themselves are playing the instruments live, conveying the type of technical genius that makes this type of dynamic all the more convincing. —Brittany Spanos, Rolling Stone, 21 Apr. 2024

Advertisement The effort to change his mind, according to a source familiar with the situation not authorized to speak publicly, included an apparently convincing call from Lincoln Riley to Alexander and his family. —Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2024

Attempts to add action and take scenes outdoors look artificial and contrived, and no matter how hard Jay Wadley’s score pushes various thriller-adjacent aspects, none of that is ever convincing. —Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Apr. 2024

Beshear — who won a convincing reelection victory last November over a McConnell protege — had already seen his influence over selecting a senator greatly diminished by GOP lawmakers. —Fox News, 29 Mar. 2024

Experts have struggled to find a convincing explanation for this era of bad feelings. —George Makari, The Atlantic, 21 Mar. 2024

Like many aspects of generative AI over the past year, AI audio is now a more convincing imitation of the real thing. —Reece Rogers, WIRED, 8 Apr. 2024

But for Jatta, and other banjo scholars, what's most convincing is how the akonting is played. —Aaron Cohen, NPR, 5 Apr. 2024

Accompanying Mama Odie was a bopping Juju, a snake companion who was bouncing over a plate of beignets, forked tongue hanging out in a dry but convincing drool. —Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 4 Apr. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1624, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

convincing

adjective

con·​vinc·​ing kən-ˈvin(t)-siŋ 

: causing one to believe or agree

convincingly

-siŋ-lē 

adverb