persuasion

noun

per·​sua·​sion pər-ˈswā-zhən How to pronounce persuasion (audio)
1
a
: the act or process or an instance of persuading
b
: a persuading argument
c
: the ability to persuade : persuasiveness
2
: the condition of being persuaded
3
a
: an opinion held with complete assurance
b
: a system of religious beliefs
also : a group adhering to a particular system of beliefs
4
: kind, sort
Choose the Right Synonym for persuasion

opinion, view, belief, conviction, persuasion, sentiment mean a judgment one holds as true.

opinion implies a conclusion thought out yet open to dispute.

each expert seemed to have a different opinion

view suggests a subjective opinion.

very assertive in stating his views

belief implies often deliberate acceptance and intellectual assent.

a firm belief in her party's platform

conviction applies to a firmly and seriously held belief.

the conviction that animal life is as sacred as human

persuasion suggests a belief grounded on assurance (as by evidence) of its truth.

was of the persuasion that everything changes

sentiment suggests a settled opinion reflective of one's feelings.

her feminist sentiments are well-known

Examples of persuasion in a Sentence

It would take a lot of persuasion to get him to agree to such an offer. Most kids don't need much persuasion to use computers. people of all different persuasions
Recent Examples on the Web Financially, this is also a great time to use your magnetism and powers of persuasion to negotiate deals or make strategic decisions. Valerie Mesa, People.com, 16 Oct. 2024 As a result, politicians are zeroing in on that elusive sliver of the electorate still open to persuasion. Ivan Guzenko, Forbes, 10 Oct. 2024 In the end, perhaps only the CDC, through forceful persuasion, can kickstart those vital processes in states that may otherwise want to avoid the bad news. Chloe Berger, Fortune, 26 Sep. 2024 What’s even worse is how this story has, so quickly, become a cultural punch line among people of every political persuasion. Roxane Gay, The New Yorker, 17 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for persuasion 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'persuasion.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English persuasioun, from Middle French or Latin; Middle French persuasion, from Latin persuasion-, persuasio, from persuadēre

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of persuasion was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near persuasion

Cite this Entry

“Persuasion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/persuasion. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

persuasion

noun
per·​sua·​sion pər-ˈswā-zhən How to pronounce persuasion (audio)
1
: the act of persuading
2
: the power or ability to persuade
3
: the state of being persuaded
4
a
: a way of believing
especially : a system of religious beliefs
b
: a group having the same religious beliefs

Medical Definition

persuasion

noun
per·​sua·​sion pər-ˈswā-zhən How to pronounce persuasion (audio)
: a method of treating neuroses consisting essentially in rational conversation and reeducation

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