Definition of convincingnext

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

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 convincing
Adjective
This resulted not just in a convincing depiction of a supernatural creature but also a surprisingly tender one in keeping with the overall humanistic tone of the film. Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 14 July 2026 France continues to be the tournament favorites, with a convincing win against Morocco in the last round. Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 14 July 2026
Verb
Sabrina Carpenter has spent the last few years convincing fans that bigger hair is always better. Daisy Maldonado, InStyle, 6 July 2026 The revenge story saw Tucker's exes convincing Snow's Kate to trick the ladies' man into falling in love with her. Rachel McRady, PEOPLE, 4 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for convincing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for convincing
Adjective
  • True, nothing so grand as a massive dragon and naval battle took place, but seeing Rhaenyra start to change into someone almost unrecognizable from her younger, more innocent self was compelling in a deeper way.
    Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 6 July 2026
  • Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
    Raven Brunner, PEOPLE, 5 July 2026
Noun
  • AcePDF offers high-speed, high-accuracy conversions from PDF to Word, Excel, PowerPoint, text, HTML, and images, preserving original formatting down to the hyperlinks.
    StackCommerce Team, PC Magazine, 14 July 2026
  • Midtown Costco business conversion Costco is asking the city for approval to allow outdoor storage as part of the property’s zoning plan.
    Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 14 July 2026
Verb
  • Numbers like that are persuading brands to start treating in-game ads and product placements as a serious channel rather than a spare-budget experiment.
    Manal Albarakati, semafor.com, 15 July 2026
  • But the deportation officers also had other means of persuading the holdouts.
    Jonathan Blitzer, New Yorker, 13 July 2026
Adjective
  • There’s no conclusive answer, and that’s something McElwee will have to live with.
    Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 10 July 2026
  • Although rescuers had not detected conclusive signs of life, the operation continued under the watch of the child’s parents and grandmother.
    Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 4 July 2026
Noun
  • The story unfolds as a kind of thriller/procedural as Babs, and her very capable husband Rheal, unleash violence as a precision instrument of power and persuasion.
    John Warner, Chicago Tribune, 11 July 2026
  • Remember how giddy everyone of an English persuasion got after that 4-2 victory?
    Carl Anka, New York Times, 10 July 2026
Verb
  • Paxton even distinctly remembers the duo satisfying a Big Mac craving after watching Supersize Me together.
    Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 14 July 2026
  • Installing peel-and-stick wallpaper is an excellent starter DIY that feels satisfying and packs a punch.
    Ashley Chalmers, The Spruce, 13 July 2026
Adjective
  • Beyond California, scientists are raising alarms over the planet’s warming oceans, which — coupled with a strong El Niño — could increase temperatures for land dwellers in the coming weeks.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
  • Weather aside, Fall/Winter 2026 Haute Couture Week, running from July 6 to 9, will feature shows from 30 houses, compared with FW25’s 27-strong line-up.
    Laure Guilbault, Vogue, 6 July 2026
Verb
  • Typhoon Bavi weakened to a severe tropical storm after making landfall in eastern China's Zhejiang province but was still bringing strong winds and heavy rain to eastern China on Sunday.
    ABC News, ABC News, 12 July 2026
  • So bringing them all in just keeps them from being siloed and gives them more to work with.
    Max Gao, Variety, 11 July 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Convincing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/convincing. Accessed 18 Jul. 2026.

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