as in coaxing
to get (someone) to do something by gentle urging, special attention, or flattery
cajoled her into doing his laundry for him
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Recent Examples of cajoling
After years of lobbying, cajoling – virtually pleading – state lawmakers back in 2024 finally granted the state Lottery an online presence.
—
Editorial, Boston Herald, 31 May 2026
Nearby, a group of teenage boys try their luck on a slackline over a pool six-and-a-half-feet deep before cajoling each other up to the cliff diving platforms.
—Lauren Keith, Robb Report, 30 May 2026
In the past, Thrash conducted the auctions by herself, cajoling regular American attendees to open their purse strings.
—Miles Socha, Footwear News, 26 May 2026
There will also be a familiar face cajoling and encouraging, in the background as well as on the main public stages.
—Kamal Ahmed, Fortune, 13 May 2026
And six years later, Donovan is still prodding and cajoling the forward to crash the boards and control his dribble and contribute physically to the game.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 26 Mar. 2026
Europe has long underspent on defense, and where American cajoling for decades had not worked, a few face slaps succeeded.
—Eliot A. Cohen, The Atlantic, 19 Jan. 2026
Although Texas, Missouri, Ohio and North Carolina went along, Indiana did not -- despite cajoling and insults from the president and the possibility of primary challenges.
—Arkansas Online, 12 Dec. 2025
Mamdani has steadfastly refused to recognize Israel's right to exist as a Jewish state and no amount of cajoling by the head of the New York Board of Rabbis has changed his mind.
—Marcia Kramer, CBS News, 12 Dec. 2025
Editorial, Boston Herald, 31 May 2026
Nearby, a group of teenage boys try their luck on a slackline over a pool six-and-a-half-feet deep before cajoling each other up to the cliff diving platforms.
—Lauren Keith, Robb Report, 30 May 2026
In the past, Thrash conducted the auctions by herself, cajoling regular American attendees to open their purse strings.
—Miles Socha, Footwear News, 26 May 2026
There will also be a familiar face cajoling and encouraging, in the background as well as on the main public stages.
—Kamal Ahmed, Fortune, 13 May 2026
And six years later, Donovan is still prodding and cajoling the forward to crash the boards and control his dribble and contribute physically to the game.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 26 Mar. 2026
Europe has long underspent on defense, and where American cajoling for decades had not worked, a few face slaps succeeded.
—Eliot A. Cohen, The Atlantic, 19 Jan. 2026
Although Texas, Missouri, Ohio and North Carolina went along, Indiana did not -- despite cajoling and insults from the president and the possibility of primary challenges.
—Arkansas Online, 12 Dec. 2025
Mamdani has steadfastly refused to recognize Israel's right to exist as a Jewish state and no amount of cajoling by the head of the New York Board of Rabbis has changed his mind.
—Marcia Kramer, CBS News, 12 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cajoling
coaxing
Verb
-
Has anyone had success with these colorful callas, coaxing them to bloom year after year as advertised?—
Joshua Siskin,
Oc Register,
27 May 2026
-
Seeman was doing her usual thing on Friday, coaxing batters to hit ground balls and pop-ups.—
Chris Hays,
The Orlando Sentinel,
22 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cajoling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cajoling. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
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