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

• 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

Suspect arrested on scene The suspect, who was not publicly identified, was arrested after bystanders persuaded him to drop his firearm. —Taylor Ardrey, USA Today, 18 Aug. 2025

Trump has persuaded them to align with Putin’s rejection of the ceasefire and instead adopt an overall peace deal view. —Andy J. Semotiuk, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2025

Ned persuades the brothers to pursue a path of co-leadership, where Colum will effectively be laird but Dougal will be his right hand and serve as a war-time chieftain when necessary. —Maureen Lee Lenker Published, EW.com, 16 Aug. 2025

Could Bostwick be persuaded to take part in the Time Warp? —Sal Pizarro, Mercury News, 15 Aug. 2025

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