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

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

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

ProPublica notes First Liberty has lobbied against filibuster reform in the past, and claims to have successfully helped persuade Sens. Joe Manchin, I-W.Va., and Kyrsten Sinema, I-Ariz., not to support it. —Alison Durkee, Forbes, 4 Sep. 2024

Some legalization advocates also hope rescheduling could help persuade Congress to pass legislation aimed at opening banks’ doors to cannabis companies. —Kristine Gill, Fortune, 3 Sep. 2024

While this shabby retirement home in Jaipur, India, might not look like its flashy ads, American expat Muriel (Maggie Smith) sees its hidden potential and persuades an investor to help her breathe new life into it. —James Mercadante, EW.com, 3 Sep. 2024

But in order to persuade Trump to approve the transaction, his then-campaign finance chairman had structured it as a loan that could be repaid, the Post reported. —Kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2024

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

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