as in cajoled
to get (someone) to do something by gentle urging, special attention, or flattery
trying to coax their father into taking them on a ski trip, the teens mentioned what a great skier he is
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Recent Examples of coaxed
Now she’s been coaxed out of retirement to make her mark in online criticism, at the urging of her close personal friend, the novelist and New Yorker contributor Paul Rudnick.
—
Libby Gelman-Waxner, New Yorker, 21 Apr. 2026
For much of the 20th century, coffee in the United States was cheap and almost forgettable, either instant granules dissolved in hot water or weak brews coaxed from percolators.
—Nick El Hajj, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026
When officers arrived, Martinez holed up inside the home and held police at bay until he was coaxed into surrendering.
—Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 14 Apr. 2026
Munetaka Murakami coaxed a leadoff walk from Lugo.
—ABC News, 9 Apr. 2026
The news was especially unexpected after the streamer coaxed a reluctant Sarah Michelle Gellar to bring back her original Buffy character and shot a $12 million pilot, directed by Oscar-winner Chloé Zhao, that introduced a new generation of Sunnydale High School characters.
—Chris O'Falt, IndieWire, 8 Apr. 2026
After Emma is coaxed into sharing her secret during a misguided bonding exercise with her wedding party, her maid of honor, Rachel (Alana Haim), takes the revelation personally.
—Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 8 Apr. 2026
Houston coaxed a contested 3 out of Curry — which clanked, securing the Warriors’ 117-116 defeat at Chase Center, and a losing season for just the second time in Steve Kerr’s 12 years as the team’s coach.
—Marcus Thompson Ii, New York Times, 6 Apr. 2026
The final arrangement is a mystery revealed only after it’s coaxed out of its mold.
—Megan Paetzhold, Bon Appetit Magazine, 5 Apr. 2026
Libby Gelman-Waxner, New Yorker, 21 Apr. 2026
For much of the 20th century, coffee in the United States was cheap and almost forgettable, either instant granules dissolved in hot water or weak brews coaxed from percolators.
—Nick El Hajj, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026
When officers arrived, Martinez holed up inside the home and held police at bay until he was coaxed into surrendering.
—Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 14 Apr. 2026
Munetaka Murakami coaxed a leadoff walk from Lugo.
—ABC News, 9 Apr. 2026
The news was especially unexpected after the streamer coaxed a reluctant Sarah Michelle Gellar to bring back her original Buffy character and shot a $12 million pilot, directed by Oscar-winner Chloé Zhao, that introduced a new generation of Sunnydale High School characters.
—Chris O'Falt, IndieWire, 8 Apr. 2026
After Emma is coaxed into sharing her secret during a misguided bonding exercise with her wedding party, her maid of honor, Rachel (Alana Haim), takes the revelation personally.
—Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 8 Apr. 2026
Houston coaxed a contested 3 out of Curry — which clanked, securing the Warriors’ 117-116 defeat at Chase Center, and a losing season for just the second time in Steve Kerr’s 12 years as the team’s coach.
—Marcus Thompson Ii, New York Times, 6 Apr. 2026
The final arrangement is a mystery revealed only after it’s coaxed out of its mold.
—Megan Paetzhold, Bon Appetit Magazine, 5 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for coaxed
Verb
-
Cash cajoled Leon Bailey into positions ahead of him, either shuffling backwards to mark Newcastle’s left-winger or shifting inside to track Lewis Hall, who was inverting from left back.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Her mentor, 2012-2020 Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, cajoled the BOJ into cornering the government bond market and becoming the biggest owner of Tokyo stocks.—
William Pesek,
Forbes.com,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
While some of the women who came here willingly embraced ISIS ideology and passed it on to their children, many others say they were trafficked or lured to the region through ignorance or under false pretenses.—
Jane Arraf,
NPR,
11 Apr. 2026
-
The subsidies lured Reservation Dogs.—
Winston Cho,
HollywoodReporter,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
As Dead City grow beyond the outlaw punk scene, the entertainment industry is enticed yet wary of this genuinely divisive and chaotic band.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
15 Apr. 2026
-
More than half of Medicare beneficiaries are enrolled in such plans, enticed by lower monthly premiums and extra benefits not covered by traditional Medicare, according to health policy research firm KFF.—
Annika Kim Constantino,
CNBC,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Inside, a fuzzy white possum, seduced by cat food, sits, befuddled.—
Bill Kearney,
Sun Sentinel,
19 Apr. 2026
-
In an industry often seduced by scale and swagger, Claire offers something far more enduring.—
Julie Lin,
Condé Nast Traveler,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
As for wine and cocktails, be prepared to be wowed, thanks to the thoughtful hand of wine director Cassandra Felix, who cut her chops in Napa Valley before being wooed to Florida’s warm waters.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
17 Apr. 2026
-
Typically, price increases prompt some cancellations, but the longer-term financial benefits are worth it, especially if some of those who canceled can be wooed back with compelling programming.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Officials were forced to close all southbound lanes of the Palmetto Expressway in the area for the rescues and investigation, and drivers were being urged to avoid the area until the scene has been cleared.—
Steven Yablonski,
CBS News,
17 Apr. 2026
-
Alia urged residents to remain calm and to continue to cooperate with security agencies on rescue efforts and other operations.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
As the North bore down on Saigon, Thieu begged for American financial support, but Congress was in no mood to pour more millions into the black hole of Southeast Asia.—
Louis Menand,
New Yorker,
13 Apr. 2026
-
The Tua Tagovailoa/Mike McDaniel era ultimately failed, now Dolfans are being begged for yet more patience as the onerous burden of Tagovailoa’s contract impinges on the rebuild.—
Greg Cote
April 6,
Miami Herald,
6 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Coaxed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/coaxed. Accessed 21 Apr. 2026.
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