as in cajoles
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 coaxes
Amid these absurdities, Manuel coaxes out the cruelty of the resort’s hierarchies.
—
Richard Brody, New Yorker, 4 Feb. 2026
After all, the way FanDuel coaxes a prediction customer onto its online sportsbook or icasino will look very different from Robinhood working to persuade a predictions trader to try trading equities.
—Contessa Brewer, CNBC, 17 Dec. 2025
Whether wasted out of her mind after Hedda Gabler (Tessa Thompson) coaxes Hoss’ imperious literature professor off the wagon, or a sobbing, heaving wreck of herself when the pages of her latest book go missing at a 1950s mansion party.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 30 Nov. 2025
Though the process coaxes similar complexity from the allium, caramelizing shallots is a little different than caramelizing onions.
—CBS News, 21 Nov. 2025
Clateman, who has scraggly chops, a patterned scarf wrapped around his neck, and a gray button-up—like a hippie dressed up for Picture Day—coaxes her into talking.
—Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 6 Nov. 2025
Steve gently coaxes him back to school, where the film crew is causing havoc.
—Damon Wise, Deadline, 5 Sep. 2025
After ordering his security detail to cut the feed on all his cameras, Prater captures Harrison at gunpoint and coaxes Dexter to return to the wine room.
—Nick Caruso, TVLine, 5 Sep. 2025
Across the galaxy, stars are born in immense clouds of gas and dust — stellar nurseries where gravity coaxes material to coalesce and ignite.
—Kenna Hughes-Castleberry, Space.com, 4 Sep. 2025
Richard Brody, New Yorker, 4 Feb. 2026
After all, the way FanDuel coaxes a prediction customer onto its online sportsbook or icasino will look very different from Robinhood working to persuade a predictions trader to try trading equities.
—Contessa Brewer, CNBC, 17 Dec. 2025
Whether wasted out of her mind after Hedda Gabler (Tessa Thompson) coaxes Hoss’ imperious literature professor off the wagon, or a sobbing, heaving wreck of herself when the pages of her latest book go missing at a 1950s mansion party.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 30 Nov. 2025
Though the process coaxes similar complexity from the allium, caramelizing shallots is a little different than caramelizing onions.
—CBS News, 21 Nov. 2025
Clateman, who has scraggly chops, a patterned scarf wrapped around his neck, and a gray button-up—like a hippie dressed up for Picture Day—coaxes her into talking.
—Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 6 Nov. 2025
Steve gently coaxes him back to school, where the film crew is causing havoc.
—Damon Wise, Deadline, 5 Sep. 2025
After ordering his security detail to cut the feed on all his cameras, Prater captures Harrison at gunpoint and coaxes Dexter to return to the wine room.
—Nick Caruso, TVLine, 5 Sep. 2025
Across the galaxy, stars are born in immense clouds of gas and dust — stellar nurseries where gravity coaxes material to coalesce and ignite.
—Kenna Hughes-Castleberry, Space.com, 4 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for coaxes
Verb
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Emily cajoles Sylvie into a meeting with Nico and Marcello.—
Jessica M. Goldstein,
Vulture,
19 Dec. 2025
-
Guardiola, usually a manager who passionately cajoles his players on the sidelines, cut a far more demure figure in the second half.—
Jordan Campbell,
New York Times,
1 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Loot boxes in the crosshairs James alleges Valve entices players to pay for a chance to win a rare virtual item, and that those rare items can be traded for real money in accordance with their rarity.—
Jesse Zanger,
CBS News,
25 Feb. 2026
-
Your starter entices with a spicy-tangy flavor, leading into the classic roasted chicken entree.—
Alana Al-Hatlani,
Southern Living,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The victim of his sacrifice is Gretchen, a virgin whom Faust seduces and abandons in his devilish reverie, and who kills their illegitimate child.—
Merve Emre,
New Yorker,
1 Dec. 2025
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The film follows the deliciously immoral, widowed Lady Susan Vernon (Kate Beckinsale), who maneuvers, deceives and seduces her way through London and across her relatives' country estates in an effort to find a wealthy husband for herself and her daughter, Frederica (Morfydd Clark).—
Andrea Wurzburger,
PEOPLE,
29 Nov. 2025
Verb
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As the President insults allies, woos dictators, and spurns long-standing commitments, Rubio has to convince his counterparts that America will not entirely abandon its friends.—
Dexter Filkins,
New Yorker,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Once a sleepy fishing village, Rockport is growing, but still lures in anglers, artists, families, and nature lovers who like the slower pace.—
Pam LeBlanc,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 Mar. 2026
-
Jamaica Jamaica lures visitors with its share of beautiful beaches.—
Patricia Doherty,
Travel + Leisure,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The letter, first reported by Aviation Week, urges Musk to consider more affordable pricing.—
Michael Kan,
PC Magazine,
9 Mar. 2026
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As the Arctic becomes a top trending travel destination, Lambe urges travelers to see this special place—like Iqaluit’s vast open tundra dotted by mountains, rivers, and rocky outcrops—through an Indigenous point of view, in which humans are inextricably intertwined with the natural world.—
Lale Arikoglu,
Condé Nast Traveler,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Trunks, roots, and branches dot the sand, creating an ethereal landscape that begs for its photo to be taken.—
Lydia Mansel,
Southern Living,
1 Mar. 2026
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When Hyacinth flounces off to check the hall, Eloise hot on her trail, Sophie begs for a moment of Violet’s time.—
Christina Grace Tucker,
Vulture,
26 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Coaxes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/coaxes. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
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