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

When the wagon reached the Snake River, the Reynolds brothers were persuaded enough to ride on ahead and listen to what Boise’s businessmen had to offer. —Idaho Statesman, 16 Dec. 2025

Cote wasn’t persuaded the VIP hosts are breaking any laws. —Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 16 Dec. 2025

People may be persuaded that a stable world population is in their rational self-interest. —Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2025

This year, Grossi persuaded the World Bank to end its decades-long ban on funding nuclear-energy projects; the agreement was signed in June, opening the way for the bank to support initiatives in developing countries. —Robin Wright, New Yorker, 12 Dec. 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