suasion

noun

sua·​sion ˈswā-zhən How to pronounce suasion (audio)
: the act of influencing or persuading
suasive adjective
suasively adverb
suasiveness noun

Examples of suasion in a Sentence

a defense lawyer uses not only legal arguments but also moral suasion to appeal to a jury's sense of right and wrong
Recent Examples on the Web Read More: Believing Myths About Aging Makes Growing Old Worse Initially, their belief in moral suasion worked. Rebecca Brannon / Made By History, TIME, 3 July 2024 In this brilliant new look at the destruction of slavery during the American Civil War, Oakes reveals how the U.S. abolitionist movement relied not only on high-minded moral suasion but also on the small-bore legalistic strategy of the Republican Party. James Oakes, Foreign Affairs, 27 Dec. 2012 Beyond moral suasion is a clear policy against any form of discrimination that happens to be taking place. Alyson Shontell, Fortune, 31 Aug. 2023 As psychologist Asa Hilliard later explained, among those strategies were moral suasion, litigation, grassroots organizing, civil disobedience, economic boycotts, the solicitation of corporate sponsors and the use of television. Bev-Freda Jackson, The Conversation, 25 Aug. 2023 See all Example Sentences for suasion 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'suasion.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin suasion-, suasio, from suadēre to urge, persuade — more at sweet

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of suasion was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near suasion

Cite this Entry

“Suasion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/suasion. Accessed 18 Sep. 2024.

Kids Definition

suasion

noun
sua·​sion ˈswā-zhən How to pronounce suasion (audio)
: the act of influencing or persuading
moral suasion
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