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

But Ormund’s real secret weapon is Ulf, who has suffered enough indignity at the hands of the Blacks, or so he’s been persuaded. — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 3 Aug. 2026

This broader strategy also helps explain why persuading countries to avoid Chinese AI will likely prove considerably more difficult than Washington’s earlier campaign against Huawei and ZTE. — Dewardric L. McNeal, CNBC, 2 Aug. 2026

It’s taken a while, but Ella Gudwin, CEO of VisionSpring, finally has the hard numbers to persuade factories that their workers may need vision correction. — Jasmin Malik Chua, Footwear News, 31 July 2026

Before putting Proposition 36 on the ballot, law enforcement types including sheriffs and district attorneys tried to persuade the Legislature to do something similar. — Los Angeles Times, 31 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