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

The tribes also didn’t persuade Corley that Kalshi is violating IGRA, which establishes a system for tribes to launch, oversee, and retain revenue from gaming—including sports betting—on their lands. —Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 14 Nov. 2025

Father Pat can’t persuade the diocese to back the nuns, but his return to the Jacobson-Moore offices gives Matty an idea. —Noel Murray, Vulture, 14 Nov. 2025

Biden officials ultimately succeeded in persuading Israel to downscale its Rafah operation, one of several modest successes in using pressure to improve humanitarian outcomes in Gaza, and never resumed the delivery of 2,000-pound bombs. —Rebecca Lissner, Foreign Affairs, 14 Nov. 2025

However, Florida, and likely LSU, won't be the only football teams looking to persuade Kiffin to leave Ole Miss. —Jordan Sigler, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Nov. 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