as in convincing
the act of reasoning or pleading with someone to accept a belief or course of action
no amount of persuading could make her change her mind
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
as in satisfying
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of persuading
Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 9 Aug. 2025
In the framework of conversational intelligence, most workplace communication falls into Level 1 (telling) or Level 2 (persuading).
—Susan Curtin, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2025
Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 30 Oct. 2025
That could help with a key goal of the new transit line — persuading people who commute by car to give a more comfortable bus experience a try.
—Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2025
Despite a recent plan to overhaul California’s strict insurance regulations in hopes of persuading carriers to expand coverage in fire-risk areas, many homeowners have yet to see any immediate changes.
—Ethan Varian, Mercury News, 18 Oct. 2025
This misrepresentation appears to have been a central element in persuading Craig Lampley to agree to transfer ownership.
—Daniel Bice, jsonline.com, 17 Oct. 2025
For other programs in recent years, previous relationships have proven critical as coaches like Indiana’s Curt Cignetti (hired from James Madison) and Washington’s Jedd Fisch (Arizona) were able to jump-start their rebuilds by persuading several of their key players to make the move with them.
—The Athletic Colleges Staff, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
Born in a small village in 1909, or perhaps 1912, the son of a goldsmith and his senior wife, Nkrumah was quiet but charismatic—good at schoolwork, even better at persuading people to believe in him.
—Kelefa Sanneh, New Yorker, 6 Oct. 2025
Sponsorship organizations seek donations by persuading people and groups that have, to lend financial support those who don’t have or have far less.
—Kansas City Star, 30 Sep. 2025
Other charges dismissed as part of an April plea agreement included two counts of persuading or coercing a minor to engage in prostitution.
—Nick Ferraro, Twin Cities, 25 Sep. 2025
Noun
But Putin cannot have needed much persuading to agree to a formal invitation to the US to have the bilateral meeting his team have long held out as the way towards peace in Ukraine.
—Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 9 Aug. 2025
In the framework of conversational intelligence, most workplace communication falls into Level 1 (telling) or Level 2 (persuading).
—Susan Curtin, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2025
Verb
After reading Wuoronos’ story, Pralle began conversing with her through letters, eventually persuading Wuornos to let Pralle adopt her.
—Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 30 Oct. 2025
That could help with a key goal of the new transit line — persuading people who commute by car to give a more comfortable bus experience a try.
—Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2025
Despite a recent plan to overhaul California’s strict insurance regulations in hopes of persuading carriers to expand coverage in fire-risk areas, many homeowners have yet to see any immediate changes.
—Ethan Varian, Mercury News, 18 Oct. 2025
This misrepresentation appears to have been a central element in persuading Craig Lampley to agree to transfer ownership.
—Daniel Bice, jsonline.com, 17 Oct. 2025
For other programs in recent years, previous relationships have proven critical as coaches like Indiana’s Curt Cignetti (hired from James Madison) and Washington’s Jedd Fisch (Arizona) were able to jump-start their rebuilds by persuading several of their key players to make the move with them.
—The Athletic Colleges Staff, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
Born in a small village in 1909, or perhaps 1912, the son of a goldsmith and his senior wife, Nkrumah was quiet but charismatic—good at schoolwork, even better at persuading people to believe in him.
—Kelefa Sanneh, New Yorker, 6 Oct. 2025
Sponsorship organizations seek donations by persuading people and groups that have, to lend financial support those who don’t have or have far less.
—Kansas City Star, 30 Sep. 2025
Other charges dismissed as part of an April plea agreement included two counts of persuading or coercing a minor to engage in prostitution.
—Nick Ferraro, Twin Cities, 25 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for persuading
Verb
-
From her early years as a spot-on Toddlers & Tiaras contestant to convincing husband Mark Consuelos to go as Travis Kelce to her Taylor Swift for one of the cutest couples costumes of Halloween 2023, here are Kelly Ripa's most impressive Halloween get-ups over the years.—
Kate Hogan,
PEOPLE,
30 Oct. 2025
-
Sherrill has the herculean task of convincing New Jersey voters to keep Democrats in power.—
Mabinty Quarshie,
The Washington Examiner,
30 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
After the score was tied at 23 at the end of regulation, the Raiders matched a Jaguars touchdown in overtime but failed on the 2-point conversion in front of their home crowd.—
Ric Sanchez,
New York Times,
3 Nov. 2025
-
Then, after Mahomes hit Travis Kelce for a two-point conversion to trim a 15-point deficit to seven, the defense did its part.—
Blair Kerkhoff,
Kansas City Star,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
There's something satisfying about cleaning windows and getting a streak-free finish.—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
24 Oct. 2025
-
There’s something satisfying about the victim-less crime.—
Brittany Allen,
Literary Hub,
23 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Kelly isn’t capable of lifting cars or running 60 miles per hour; his true strength seems to lie in the power of persuasion.—
Michael Silver,
New York Times,
3 Nov. 2025
-
Human connection, never mind persuasion, is rarely a matter of a single conversation, but rather the work of months or years, maybe a lifetime.—
Alex Kotlowitz,
The Atlantic,
29 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Persuading.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/persuading. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.
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