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

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
Julian is in for the journey immediately, but Fleur’s editor and some friends take a touch more convincing. Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 6 Sep. 2025 Where Thompson’s performance hinged on a convincing performance of someone decidedly unlike herself, White is mostly playing herself playing Rose (her GG character), this time in song. Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2025
Verb
However, their best piece of business was convincing Cristian Romero to sign a new long-term contract. James McNicholas, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025 While speaking on a panel at the opening of the movie, which details the life and career of actor John Candy, who died at 43 in 1994, Reynolds revealed that his 2-year-old son, Olin, played a key part in convincing Bill Murray, 74, to have a role in the documentary. Becca Longmire, PEOPLE, 5 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for convincing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for convincing
Adjective
  • The Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program has been active since 2010, compelling more than 8,000 facilities and suppliers in the United States to report their climate pollution every year, and uses the data to help shape rules to reduce the amount of pollution in the air.
    Ella Nilsen, CNN Money, 12 Sep. 2025
  • For a daily driver, the third-generation Leaf is rather compelling, especially the S+, although the lack of heated front seats in that model might be too much of a deal-breaker, considering how important seat heaters are to EV efficiency in winter.
    Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 12 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The veteran running back finished with a team-high 88 receiving yards, including a career-long catch of 55 that gave way to a touchdown and a two-point conversion.
    Oliver Thomas, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
  • Barcelona’s municipal government, which has been contending with a housing crisis that stems, in part, from the conversion of many apartments into Airbnbs, has yet to decide whether to allow the demolition, but Sagrada Família officials are resolute.
    D. T. Max, New Yorker, 15 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • For many owners, the nightly ritual of persuading a pet to leave the bed is an ongoing negotiation—one that frequently ends with the animal winning.
    Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 2025
  • The network seemed to have trouble persuading actual stars to perform.
    Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The findings were intriguing, but not conclusive.
    Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Trans athletes and their advocates, meanwhile, say there is a lack of consistent, conclusive research to support this claim and argue trans people deserve the right to compete with their peers.
    Dakin Andone, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • If one partner hesitates, resist the urge to fill the space with persuasion.
    Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025
  • But whoever said that is clearly not of the female persuasion.
    Max Gao, HollywoodReporter, 5 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The garden is satisfying to Ramona.
    Caron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Sep. 2025
  • Other tasters agreed these anchovies had a meaty texture, which made each fillet a satisfying several bites.
    Bon Appétit, Bon Appetit Magazine, 10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Washington counts Qatar as a strong Gulf ally.
    Jarrett Renshaw, USA Today, 13 Sep. 2025
  • The audio-streaming platform has amassed a sizable free cash flow due to its strong revenue growth, a figure that has been boosted by the company's swelling active user base in recent financial quarters.
    Liz Napolitano, CNBC, 12 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Growth in the number of new indoor resorts had the biggest percentage increase, with six opening in the last year, bringing the country’s total to 66 -- more than double the 31 indoor resorts that China had in 2020.
    Russell Flannery, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Former Brevard County School Board Member Jennifer Jenkins is launching a longshot Democratic bid for Marco Rubio’s former Senate seat — and hoping the polarizing prospect of bringing independents into the party’s primary will strengthen her chances.
    Claire Heddles, Miami Herald, 10 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Convincing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/convincing. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.

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