persuasive

adjective

per·​sua·​sive pər-ˈswā-siv 

-ziv

: tending to persuade

persuasively adverb

persuasiveness noun

Synonyms of persuasive

• compelling
• convincing
• conclusive
• strong

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

There’s much jargon-y talk of unlocking freedom and earning potential, repeated with dead-eyed belief by Marshall’s protégés, some with more persuasive swagger than others. — Guy Lodge, Variety, 15 Sep. 2026

Some of the sellers took a real beating on the way out, because the negative articles were so persuasive and the owners so scared. — Jim Cramer, CNBC, 13 Sep. 2026

There was no meaningful public backlash to piggyback onto, and Hinton’s warning had to work entirely on its own persuasive merits. — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 10 Sep. 2026

Model what backfill hiring would cost if even one leaves—that’s usually the more persuasive board slide. — Ryan Austin, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for persuasive

• abrasive
• invasive
• pervasive
• noninvasive
• unpersuasive

Kids Definition

persuasive

adjective

per·​sua·​sive pər-ˈswā-siv 

-ziv

: tending to persuade

a persuasive argument

persuasively adverb

persuasiveness noun