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 of persuasion

• 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

Almost a third of voters, or 32%, were undecided, however, suggesting there is room for persuasion as the administration moves ahead with its plans. — Matt Peterson, CNBC, 20 July 2026

The story unfolds as a kind of thriller/procedural as Babs, and her very capable husband Rheal, unleash violence as a precision instrument of power and persuasion. — John Warner, Chicago Tribune, 11 July 2026

Remember how giddy everyone of an English persuasion got after that 4-2 victory? — Carl Anka, New York Times, 10 July 2026

But by the time a user clicks, a lot of that persuasion and convincing has already happened. — Megan Poinski, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026

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