persuasive
adjective
per·sua·sive
pər-ˈswā-siv 
-ziv
: tending to persuade
persuasively
adverb
persuasiveness
noun
Synonyms
Examples of persuasive in a Sentence
We weren't shown any persuasive evidence that he had committed the crime.
a persuasive argument for increasing funding of the city's library system
Recent Examples on the Web
But the other actors bring persuasive conviction to their parts, with Suri a strong lead.
—
Dennis Harvey, Variety, 18 Sep. 2023
For Kiffin, the temptation forever will be to bend to that persuasive old friend, the ego.
—J. Brady McCollough, Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 2023
Her persuasive account argues that cable’s advocates were, in fact, motivated primarily by profit, and that cable television’s Sisyphean pursuit of ratings and revenue ultimately served to cultivate a toxic media—and political—environment.
—By Jessica Winter, The New Yorker, 11 Sep. 2023
Arguments abound both for and against hunting and the killing of wildlife, and there are persuasive points raised by both sides.
—David James, Anchorage Daily News, 9 Sep. 2023
But scene by scene, Jacobs and his leads etch a tangle of compelling, persuasive dynamics and backstories.
—Jon Frosch, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Sep. 2023
Microsoft preemptively promised to continue making key games available to competitors like Nintendo and Sony, a decision that was persuasive to the judge in the case, providing a possible road map for a Disney deal with a tech giant.
—Alex Weprin, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Aug. 2023
The waters have become even murkier with the advent of generative artificial intelligence — programs able to produce realistic and persuasive counterfeits of scenes that don’t exist, events that never happened, and arguments nobody made.
—Adam Bly and Amy Brand, BostonGlobe.com, 7 Aug. 2023
Emma’s efforts to educate and protect Sally, for example, are touching but not always persuasive.
—Lili Loofbourow, Washington Post, 28 July 2023
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Dennis Harvey, Variety, 18 Sep. 2023
For Kiffin, the temptation forever will be to bend to that persuasive old friend, the ego.
—J. Brady McCollough, Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 2023
Her persuasive account argues that cable’s advocates were, in fact, motivated primarily by profit, and that cable television’s Sisyphean pursuit of ratings and revenue ultimately served to cultivate a toxic media—and political—environment.
—By Jessica Winter, The New Yorker, 11 Sep. 2023
Arguments abound both for and against hunting and the killing of wildlife, and there are persuasive points raised by both sides.
—David James, Anchorage Daily News, 9 Sep. 2023
But scene by scene, Jacobs and his leads etch a tangle of compelling, persuasive dynamics and backstories.
—Jon Frosch, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Sep. 2023
Microsoft preemptively promised to continue making key games available to competitors like Nintendo and Sony, a decision that was persuasive to the judge in the case, providing a possible road map for a Disney deal with a tech giant.
—Alex Weprin, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Aug. 2023
The waters have become even murkier with the advent of generative artificial intelligence — programs able to produce realistic and persuasive counterfeits of scenes that don’t exist, events that never happened, and arguments nobody made.
—Adam Bly and Amy Brand, BostonGlobe.com, 7 Aug. 2023
Emma’s efforts to educate and protect Sally, for example, are touching but not always persuasive.
—Lili Loofbourow, Washington Post, 28 July 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'persuasive.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of persuasive was
in the 15th century
Dictionary Entries Near persuasive
Cite this Entry
“Persuasive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/persuasive. Accessed 3 Oct. 2023.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
persuasive
adjective
per·sua·sive
pər-ˈswā-siv
-ziv
: tending to persuade
a persuasive argument
persuasively
adverb
persuasiveness
noun
More from Merriam-Webster on persuasive
Nglish: Translation of persuasive for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of persuasive for Arabic Speakers
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