wheedle

verb

whee·​dle ˈ(h)wē-dᵊl 

wheedled; wheedling

ˈ(h)wēd-liŋ,

ˈ(h)wē-dᵊl-iŋ 

transitive verb

1

: to influence or entice by soft words or flattery

2

: to gain or get by wheedling

wheedle one's way into favor

intransitive verb

: to use soft words or flattery

Did you know?

Wheedle Comes Up Often in Literature

Wheedle has been a part of the English lexicon since the mid-17th century, though no one is quite sure how it wheedled its way in. (It has been suggested that the term may have come from the Old English word wǽdlian, which meant "to beg," but this is far from certain.) Be careful not to confuse wheedle with the similar-sounding weasel. While both words are applied in situations in which someone is trying to persuade another person, weasel is especially apt in cases in which the persuader is being clever or dishonest in their efforts, while wheedle always specifically involves soft words and flattery.

Synonyms

• blandish
• blarney
• cajole
• coax
• palaver
• soft-soap
• sweet-talk

Choose the Right Synonym for wheedle

cajole, coax, soft-soap, blandish, wheedle mean to influence or persuade by pleasing words or actions.

cajole suggests the deliberate use of flattery to persuade in the face of reluctance or reasonable objections.

cajoled him into cheating on the final exam

coax implies gentle and persistent words or actions employed to produce a desired effect.

coaxed the cat out of the tree

soft-soap refers to using smooth and somewhat insincere talk usually for personal gain.

politicians soft-soaping eligible voters

blandish implies a more open desire to win a person over by effusive praise and affectionate actions.

legislators blandished with promises of support

wheedle suggests more strongly than cajole the use of seductive appeal or artful words in persuading.

hucksters wheedling her life's savings out of her

Examples of wheedle in a Sentence

He wheedled quite a bit of money from her.

She pleaded and wheedled, but I wouldn't be swayed.

Recent Examples on the Web

At a pricey June 3 gala at the Supreme Court, liberal documentary filmmaker Lauren Windsor took on a conservative persona to wheedle controversial comments out of the judge, who’s recently come under fire for flying flags associated with Trump supporters at his homes. —Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 10 June 2024

What Mobutu was immensely talented at, of course, was the skill that the Americans had taught him: wheedling bribes. —Stephen R. Weissman, Foreign Affairs, 16 June 2014

Just as Falstaff does with anyone within his character’s orbit, McKellen winningly winds the audience around his little finger, presenting a man now wheedling, now roaring, always to his own advantage. —David Benedict, Variety, 12 Apr. 2024

People schemed, finagled, wheedled, and conspired, caught up in the mad, headlong rush of the city. —Adam Kirsch, The New Yorker, 27 Nov. 2023

Word History

Etymology

origin unknown

First Known Use

circa 1661, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

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Kids Definition

wheedle

verb

whee·​dle ˈhwēd-ᵊl 

ˈwēd-

wheedled; wheedling ˈhwēd-liŋ 

-ᵊl-iŋ,

ˈwēd-

1

: to get (someone) to think or act a certain way by flattering or coaxing

wheedled them into agreeing

2

: to gain or get by coaxing or flattering

wheedled money from his friend