Definition of coaxnext

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb coax differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of coax are blandish, cajole, soft-soap, and wheedle. While all these words mean "to influence or persuade by pleasing words or actions," coax implies gentle and persistent words or actions employed to produce a desired effect.

coaxed the cat out of the tree

When could blandish be used to replace coax?

The meanings of blandish and coax largely overlap; however, blandish implies a more open desire to win a person over by effusive praise and affectionate actions.

legislators blandished with promises of support

Where would cajole be a reasonable alternative to coax?

In some situations, the words cajole and coax are roughly equivalent. However, 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 is it sensible to use soft-soap instead of coax?

Although the words soft-soap and coax have much in common, soft-soap refers to using smooth and somewhat insincere talk usually for personal gain.

politicians soft-soaping eligible voters

In what contexts can wheedle take the place of coax?

The words wheedle and coax are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 coax So Help Me God’s songs unfurl across five, seven, and even eight minutes, speaking on the perils of not knowing oneself, feeling suffocated by a dead-end relationship, and coaxing out the will to do better. Kiana Mickles, Pitchfork, 15 June 2026 Peters crouched down and used a little body language to try to coax the ball fair. Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 14 June 2026 In 2024, Peruvian police dressed an officer in a bear costume on the eve of Valentine's Day and armed him with balloons and gifts to coax a female drug suspect from her home. CBS News, 13 June 2026 While plant breeders have been able to coax other garden plants into re-blooming, this is not the case for peonies. Nadia Hassani, The Spruce, 12 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for coax
Recent Examples of Synonyms for coax
Verb
  • An honest summary would still pass the buck to the voters on a grossly dishonest scheme, but at least the voters might recognize a description that doesn’t cajole, coax and mislead them.
    Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 20 June 2026
  • 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
Verb
  • Police say the violence on Sydney’s streets is being orchestrated from abroad – and teenagers are being lured into the complex web of gang warfare with the promise of fast cash.
    Hilary Whiteman, CNN Money, 26 June 2026
  • According to an overseas report by BasketNews, Denver’s backup center is prepared to sign a contract with the Lithuanian Euro League team Zalgiris Kaunas — an unsurprising development after Panathinaikos tried to lure him away from the NBA after the Nuggets traded for him last summer.
    Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 26 June 2026
Verb
  • The writer thinks that the person seducing the main character is just some flotsam, hardly worth a second look.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 26 June 2026
  • Blyth was nominated in the supporting role as Mildred's spoiled daughter, Veda, who seduces her mother's second husband (Zachary Scott), then riddles him with bullets in a jealous rage.
    ABC News, ABC News, 26 June 2026
Verb
  • Obviously, Donnie being over there was enticing to me.
    Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 19 June 2026
  • For American diners of diverse backgrounds, chop suey struck an enticing balance between novelty and decipherability, which propelled it to national popularity even as the US government moved to exclude Chinese laborers from entering the country in 1882.
    Ashley Rose Young, Bon Appetit Magazine, 18 June 2026
Verb
  • Chef Albert was a restaurateur trying to wheedle a good review out of a tough restaurant critic.
    Adam Harrington, CBS News, 1 Apr. 2026
  • In a bid to rekindle the couple’s honeymoon phase, Yasmin troubleshoots by wheedling a chief executive role for him at payment processing company Tender (run by Max Minghella‘s inscrutable puppet-master Whitney Halberstram), and throwing her husband a lavish costume party for his 40th birthday.
    Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 18 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Rather than build a nest to attract a female, some males woo other males who have already built nests.
    Elizabeth Kolbert, New Yorker, 22 June 2026
  • The country also set out plans to build an AI industrial park called Kampong AI, set to open in 2028 with workspaces and housing facilities to woo AI start-ups.
    Angelica Ang, Fortune, 19 June 2026
Verb
  • Rodríguez also said the country’s entire public and private healthcare network had been activated to treat the injured, urging doctors, nurses and other medical personnel to report immediately to their workplaces.
    Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 25 June 2026
  • Weber copped to working with the Wu administration to craft his $8-9 million amendment package, which Wu’s chief financial officer urged the Council to accept without additional amendments to avoid layoffs and loss of revenue.
    Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 24 June 2026
Verb
  • Packing shoes that look cute but leave your feet begging for mercy by day two.
    Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 26 June 2026
  • Up to this point, Ruthye has begged Supergirl to help her exact revenge on Krem, which the heroine has refused, so the alignment of their goals ends up a convenient happenstance.
    Siddhant Adlakha, Vulture, 26 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Coax.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/coax. Accessed 29 Jun. 2026.

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