persuade

verb

per·​suade pər-ˈswād 

persuaded; persuading

transitive verb

1

: to move by argument, entreaty, or expostulation to a belief, position, or course of action

2

: to plead with : urge

persuader noun

Synonyms of persuade

• convince
• satisfy

Examples of persuade in a Sentence

He persuaded his friend to go back to school.

She couldn't be persuaded to go.

He would not let himself be persuaded into buying the more expensive stereo.

I am not easily persuaded.

They persuaded us that we were wrong.

He persuaded himself that he had made the right choice.

Recent Examples on the Web

The Innocence Project persuaded a top trial attorney, Hubert Santos, to advocate for Smith’s release. — Edmund H. Mahony, Hartford Courant, 19 July 2026

Major carriers, most notably and successfully United and Delta Air Lines, have spent years persuading customers to pay more for tickets by investing in much improved services. — Phil Wahba, Fortune, 19 July 2026

So have Sanchez’s efforts to help persuade at least one major university to open a large branch campus in Chula Vista, something South County residents have been seeking for more than 30 years. — Gary Robbins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 July 2026

In low-density suburbs where the average income is above $150,000, not even the maximum amount the researchers offered, $9,000, was enough to persuade the median resident to support a new project. — Rogé Karma, The Atlantic, 17 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Latin persuadēre, from per- thoroughly + suadēre to advise, urge — more at sweet

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for persuade

• afraid
• allayed
• arcade
• arrayed
• assayed
• barmaid
• betrayed
• blockade
• bridesmaid
• brigade
• brocade
• buffeted

Kids Definition

persuade

verb

per·​suade pər-ˈswād 

persuaded; persuading

: to win over to a belief or to a course of action by argument or earnest request

persuadable

-ˈswād-ə-bəl

adjective

persuader noun