persuasive
adjective
per·sua·sive
pər-ˈswā-siv 
-ziv
: tending to persuade
persuasively
adverb
persuasiveness
noun
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
His judgments about the characters—both famous and obscure—who mattered in this low, dishonest era are always persuasive.
—
Gabrielle Bellot, Literary Hub, 27 Feb. 2026
Scholars of rhetoric have long argued that economics functions not merely as a set of policies or outcomes, but as a powerful persuasive appeal — one that directs public attention and legitimates political action.
—Kenneth Zagacki, Chicago Tribune, 22 Feb. 2026
Republicans still hold a 3-to-2 majority on the PSC, but the Wednesday vote was the first major test of the two Democrats’ persuasive powers with their GOP colleagues.
—Drew Kann, AJC.com, 18 Feb. 2026
Their explanations would still feel persuasive, even comforting.
—Walter Quattrociocchi, Scientific American, 18 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for persuasive
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Gabrielle Bellot, Literary Hub, 27 Feb. 2026
Scholars of rhetoric have long argued that economics functions not merely as a set of policies or outcomes, but as a powerful persuasive appeal — one that directs public attention and legitimates political action.
—Kenneth Zagacki, Chicago Tribune, 22 Feb. 2026
Republicans still hold a 3-to-2 majority on the PSC, but the Wednesday vote was the first major test of the two Democrats’ persuasive powers with their GOP colleagues.
—Drew Kann, AJC.com, 18 Feb. 2026
Their explanations would still feel persuasive, even comforting.
—Walter Quattrociocchi, Scientific American, 18 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for persuasive
Cite this Entry
“Persuasive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/persuasive. Accessed 1 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
persuasive
adjective
per·sua·sive
pər-ˈswā-siv
-ziv
: tending to persuade
a persuasive argument
persuasively
adverb
persuasiveness
noun
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