persuasion

noun

per·​sua·​sion pər-ˈswā-zhən 

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

Synonyms

• convincing
• conversion
• persuading

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

The scenarios that Araujo’s team are devising are complex, filled with high-stakes challenges, tests of bravery and morale, and situations that call for using powers of persuasion and deduction. —Ann Abel, Forbes.com, 30 July 2025

Liberals must turn to more humble but still powerful instruments: persuasion and demonstration. —Stacie E. Goddard, Foreign Affairs, 28 July 2025

The report showed that while Democratic campaigns typically outspent Republican efforts on social media, Republicans focused their funding more effectively on persuasion and mobilization content as opposed to fundraising pleas. —Amie Parnes, The Hill, 17 July 2025

But Hutson’s conversion shows that in a country deeply dug into oppositional camps, where political views appear cement-hardened into place, there are still those open to persuasion and even willing to change their minds. —Mark Z. Barabak, Twin Cities, 15 July 2025

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

Phrases Containing persuasion

• power(s) of persuasion

Rhymes for persuasion

• abrasion
• caucasian
• equation
• eurasian
• evasion
• invasion
• occasion
• asian
• suasion
• athanasian

Kids Definition

persuasion

noun

per·​sua·​sion pər-ˈswā-zhən 

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 

: a method of treating neuroses consisting essentially in rational conversation and reeducation