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

Part of his job has been persuading people to participate in programs intended to improve their economic prospects. — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 8 Aug. 2026

Around 2015, wrestling fans started a social media movement to persuade the WWE to give female wrestlers a bigger stage, and the company started to listen. — Literary Hub, 7 Aug. 2026

With personal terms already agreed then, all that’s left is for FC Barcelona to persuade City with its transfer package and not fumble this in a manner that would open the door to Real Madrid once more. — Tom Sanderson, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026

Councilman Crispin Rea, who represents the 4th District at Large and led the charge to persuade Costco to keep the pharmacy, said his discussions with constituents showed that the pharmacy was the most vital service to save. — Dylan Lysen, Kansas City Star, 6 Aug. 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