Synonyms of cajole

cajole

verb

kə-ˈjōl 

as in to coax

to get (someone) to do something by gentle urging, special attention, or flattery

cajoled her into doing his laundry for him

Synonyms & Similar Words

• coax
• wheedle
• seduce
• lure
• entice
• sweet-talk
• woo
• urge
• beg
• blandish
• soft-soap
• tempt
• palaver
• beseech
• importune
• flatter
• blarney
• overpraise
• charm
• wangle
• massage
• juggle
• finagle
• wile
• beguile
• adulate
• cozen
• butter up

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• harass
• tease
• bug
• intimidate
• pester
• cow
• nag
• coerce
• compel
• require
• bully
• force
• make
• browbeat
• constrain
• oblige
• demand
• bulldoze

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb cajole differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of cajole are blandish, coax, soft-soap, and wheedle. While all these words 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

When might blandish be a better fit than cajole?

Although the words blandish and cajole have much in common, blandish implies a more open desire to win a person over by effusive praise and affectionate actions.

legislators blandished with promises of support

When is it sensible to use coax instead of cajole?

While the synonyms coax and cajole are close in meaning, coax implies gentle and persistent words or actions employed to produce a desired effect.

coaxed the cat out of the tree

In what contexts can soft-soap take the place of cajole?

In some situations, the words soft-soap and cajole are roughly equivalent. However, soft-soap refers to using smooth and somewhat insincere talk usually for personal gain.

politicians soft-soaping eligible voters

When is wheedle a more appropriate choice than cajole?

The words wheedle and cajole can be used in similar contexts, but 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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of cajole

Doing prescribed burns safely takes a lot of boots on the ground and behind-the-scenes cajoling to make sure local residents, and regulators, are on board. —Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 16 June 2025

In deciding on this course, Putin has also rendered futile any attempts to cajole, lure, or appease him. —Andrei Yakovlev, Foreign Affairs, 16 May 2025

Trump has routinely cajoled Jay Powell, the Fed chair, to lower interest rates. —Grady McGregor, New York Times, 21 May 2025

June and Mayday were only able to figure out their whereabouts after cajoling Serena into giving out their location. —Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 26 May 2025

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