as in convinces
to cause (someone) to agree with a belief or course of action by using arguments or earnest request
she persuaded us that she can indeed communicate with the dead he persuaded his teachers to grant an extension
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Recent Examples of persuades
Most of the passengers are content to wait for the driver to figure things out, but Folarin persuades a passing truck driver to take him and his sons the rest of the way.
—
Richard Brody, New Yorker, 6 Feb. 2026
Capability alone no longer persuades buyers who now want proof of systems that work quietly in the background while results take the center stage.
—Alexander Puutio, Forbes.com, 28 Jan. 2026
Nuremberg explores how authoritarian regimes take over democracies — not by making a detailed intellectual case that persuades on its merits but by validating the power fantasies of those who feel shut out.
—Matt Zoller Seitz, Vulture, 11 Dec. 2025
In the final confrontation, Tea persuades Miran to surrender, arguing that doing so will protect his family.
—Isabella Wandermurem, Time, 27 Oct. 2025
The poet titillates, commands by images—and only thus persuades.
—Elaine L. Wang
september 11, Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2025
Fueled by rage and an insatiable desire for freedom, Isaac persuades Charles to keep the plantation.
—Ed Meza, Variety, 28 Aug. 2025
Ned persuades the brothers to pursue a path of co-leadership, where Colum will effectively be laird but Dougal will be his right hand and serve as a war-time chieftain when necessary.
—Maureen Lee Lenker Published, EW.com, 16 Aug. 2025
The two agents eventually find the victims’ murdered bodies and apprehend the Ku Klux Klan killers after Anderson persuades Ward to discard his high-road rule book in dealing with uncooperative local white folks.
—George Skelton, Mercury News, 5 Aug. 2025
Richard Brody, New Yorker, 6 Feb. 2026
Capability alone no longer persuades buyers who now want proof of systems that work quietly in the background while results take the center stage.
—Alexander Puutio, Forbes.com, 28 Jan. 2026
Nuremberg explores how authoritarian regimes take over democracies — not by making a detailed intellectual case that persuades on its merits but by validating the power fantasies of those who feel shut out.
—Matt Zoller Seitz, Vulture, 11 Dec. 2025
In the final confrontation, Tea persuades Miran to surrender, arguing that doing so will protect his family.
—Isabella Wandermurem, Time, 27 Oct. 2025
The poet titillates, commands by images—and only thus persuades.
—Elaine L. Wang
september 11, Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2025
Fueled by rage and an insatiable desire for freedom, Isaac persuades Charles to keep the plantation.
—Ed Meza, Variety, 28 Aug. 2025
Ned persuades the brothers to pursue a path of co-leadership, where Colum will effectively be laird but Dougal will be his right hand and serve as a war-time chieftain when necessary.
—Maureen Lee Lenker Published, EW.com, 16 Aug. 2025
The two agents eventually find the victims’ murdered bodies and apprehend the Ku Klux Klan killers after Anderson persuades Ward to discard his high-road rule book in dealing with uncooperative local white folks.
—George Skelton, Mercury News, 5 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for persuades
Verb
-
But Saccharine slips off the rails, especially once Hana convinces Josie that Bertha’s spirit has latched onto her in malevolent ways, growing bigger and stronger all the time.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
3 Feb. 2026
-
But the feint convinces almost no one, because Newsom is perhaps the least Falstaffian man in wine.—
Nathan Heller,
New Yorker,
1 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Since then, the British government has worked tirelessly to carve out a deal that satisfies Mauritius without losing its defensive foothold.—
Timothy Nerozzi,
The Washington Examiner,
6 Feb. 2026
-
There is a profound sadness in the way the ‘good people’ here settle on a version of truth that satisfies their own worldview.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Persuades.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/persuades. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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