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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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 See All Example Sentences for cajole
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cajole
coax
Verb
  • Sophomore pitcher Tiffany Seemann then coaxed the next batter to ground out, setting off the celebration, as Winter Springs clinched the Class 5A state championship 4-3 at Boombah-Soldiers Creek Park on Saturday.
    Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 May 2025
  • Ironically, users spend significant time editing these AI outputs, essentially becoming engineers trying to coax a machine into sounding real.
    William Jones, USA Today, 17 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Cajole.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cajole. Accessed 5 Jun. 2025.

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