convincing 1 of 3

convincing

2 of 3

noun

as in conversion
the act of reasoning or pleading with someone to accept a belief or course of action it will take a great deal of convincing to make them see our point of view

Synonyms & Similar Words

convincing

3 of 3

verb

present participle of convince

Synonym Chooser

How is the word convincing different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of convincing are cogent, sound, telling, and valid. While all these words mean "having such force as to compel serious attention and usually acceptance," convincing suggests a power to overcome doubt, opposition, or reluctance to accept.

a convincing argument for welfare reform

Where would cogent be a reasonable alternative to convincing?

In some situations, the words cogent and convincing are roughly equivalent. However, cogent may stress either weight of sound argument and evidence or lucidity of presentation.

the prosecutor's cogent summation won over the jury

When would sound be a good substitute for convincing?

While in some cases nearly identical to convincing, sound implies a basis of flawless reasoning or of solid grounds.

a sound proposal for reviving the economy

When can telling be used instead of convincing?

The synonyms telling and convincing are sometimes interchangeable, but telling stresses an immediate and crucial effect striking at the heart of a matter.

a telling example of bureaucratic waste

When is valid a more appropriate choice than convincing?

The words valid and convincing can be used in similar contexts, but valid implies being supported by objective truth or generally accepted authority.

a valid reason for being absent
a valid marriage

Examples of convincing in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
But this year’s election is the first in which the technology is so widely available that practically anyone with a computer can make a convincing deepfake cheaply or for free and post it on social media. Kevin Collier, NBC News, 7 Aug. 2024 The current Paris Olympics website has an entire — not entirely convincing — page on de Coubertin’s views and how his sexist ideologies may have been a product of their time. Alex Abad-Santos, Vox, 1 Aug. 2024 Whether voters find that line of attack convincing will become clear after Election Day, Nov. 5. David Mark, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 17 Aug. 2024 This darkness has arrived and is all-pervading in O’Hagan’s convincing vision of contemporary Britain. Randy Boyagoda, The Atlantic, 16 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for convincing 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'convincing.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Thesaurus Entries Near convincing

Cite this Entry

“Convincing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/convincing. Accessed 16 Sep. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on convincing

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