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

Since Trump took office, embassies around the world have sent a flurry of cables to D.C. documenting their meetings with Starlink executives and their efforts to cajole developing countries into helping Musk’s business. —Joshua Kaplan, ProPublica, 15 May 2025

Taken together, these measures appear to be an attempt to cajole career officials at the Division to leave voluntarily in order to fundamentally transform its work. —Mohammed Soliman, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Apr. 2025

After Trump and Grenell helped to cajole the Germans out of their security slumber, Berllin reached the NATO goal of spending 2% of gross domestic product spending in 2024. —Benjamin Weinthal, FOXNews.com, 29 Mar. 2025

Two of the headliners — Tulsi Gabbard and Health and Human Services Secretary designee Robert F. Kennedy Jr. — ran into trouble as each tried to cajole Senate Republicans during tough hearings. —Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 3 Feb. 2025

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