persuade

verb per·suade \ pər-ˈswād \

Updated on: 10 May 2018

Definition of persuade

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

See persuade defined for English-language learners

See persuade defined for kids

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 of persuade from the Web

But Republicans and independent voters were most likely to be persuaded of climate science when given correct information by a Republican politician.

— salil benegal, Washington Post, "Pruitt’s EPA denies climate science. Republicans can correct him. Will they?," 4 May 2018
One died in office, four served complete 10-year terms, one (Robert Mueller) was persuaded to stay on for a couple of additional years after the expiration of his term, and two were fired mid-term.

— matthew yglesias, Vox, "The simplest, most important question the Trump administration can’t answer," 4 May 2018
Cambridge Analytica was targeting people who readily consumed this sort of dubious far-right media, people who its model showed were also sympathetic to Trump or who might be persuaded not to vote at all.

— jacob silverman, Longreads, "Searching for a Future Beyond Facebook," 2 May 2018
The argument didn't persuade the judge, who tossed out the case.

— leada gore, AL.com, "Judge rules bar can refuse service to man wearing Trump hat," 26 Apr. 2018
But a one-off missile strike, or even two strikes, won’t persuade Putin to stop backing Assad.

— trudy rubin, Philly.com, "Trump tweet on missile strike underscores the incoherence of his Syria policy | Trudy Rubin," 11 Apr. 2018
The original plan was to cover it back up, but after reports in the New York Times raised awareness, the building owner was persuaded to restore the murals.

— mary louise schumacher, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "State Office Building murals by pioneering artist in jeopardy," 10 Apr. 2018
Also don't discount how the Saints weren't persuaded to unload a veteran player or players still under contract because of sagging play, salary cap reasons or both.

— larry holder, NOLA.com, "Saints leading the NFC South pack following measured free agency approach," 7 Apr. 2018
Arthur Pita wanted to borrow scores by Björk for his ballet, but the Icelandic composer and pop diva was not easily persuaded.

— allan ulrich, San Francisco Chronicle, "S.F. Ballet whirls Unbound into historic dance festival," 4 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'persuade.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of persuade

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

persuade Synonyms

Synonyms

argue, bring, bring around, convert, convince, gain, get, induce, move, prevail (on or upon), satisfy, talk (into), win (over);

Near Antonyms

deter, discourage, dissuade, unsell;

allure, beguile, lead on, lure, seduce, snow, tempt;

brainwash, overpersuade;

incline, influence, move, prompt, sell, sway;

reason (with);

PERSUADE Defined for English Language Learners

persuade

verb

Definition of persuade for English Language Learners

: to cause (someone) to do something by asking, arguing, or giving reasons
: to cause (someone) to believe something

PERSUADE Defined for Kids

persuade

verb per·suade \ pər-ˈswād \

Definition of persuade for Students

persuaded; persuading

: to win over to a belief or way of acting : convince The weather report persuaded me to stay home.

Learn More about persuade

See words that rhyme with persuade Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for persuade Spanish Central: Translation of persuade Nglish: Translation of persuade for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of persuade for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up persuade? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

persuade

Definition of persuade

persuader

Examples of persuade in a Sentence

Recent Examples of persuade from the Web

Origin and Etymology of persuade

persuade Synonyms

Synonyms

Near Antonyms

Related Words

PERSUADE Defined for English Language Learners

persuade

Definition of persuade for English Language Learners

PERSUADE Defined for Kids

persuade

Definition of persuade for Students

Learn More about persuade

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

9 Words from the Magical Realm

A Field Guide to British Noble Titles

Words Used by Nabokov Quiz

Trending: Melania Trump Undergoes 'Embolization'

Ghost Word