1
as in convincing
the act of reasoning or pleading with someone to accept a belief or course of action
the suffragists' gradual persuasion of the American people that voting rights had to be extended to women
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in religion
a body of beliefs and practices regarding the supernatural and the worship of one or more deities
debating theology with someone of a different persuasion
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in belief
an idea that is believed to be true or valid without positive knowledge
he's of the persuasion that everything that happens in this world is part of a divine plan
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in effectiveness
the capacity to persuade
there was an inherent persuasion in his sonorous voice that made listeners put aside any misgivings about his message
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of persuasion
Now, Americans should assume the companies’ lucrative levers of surveillance and persuasion are at the disposal, if not outright service, of a vindictive president, who’s increasingly unbound by judicial and other checks on his power.
—
Max Taves, Mercury News, 11 July 2025
Through persuasion and browbeating, Trump forced nearly all congressional Republicans to line up behind his marquee legislation despite some of its unpalatable pieces.
—Seung Min Kim, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2025
The other trades persuasion for provocation, and risks shrinking the very coalition needed to survive.
—Sam Raus, Oc Register, 13 July 2025
That’s because under polarized conditions, a true swing state is usually the place where both parties make the strongest efforts at persuasion, where the stakes of each election seem highest and the fear of the other party’s rule is sharpest among partisans on either side.
—Ross Douthat, Mercury News, 11 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for persuasion
Max Taves, Mercury News, 11 July 2025
Through persuasion and browbeating, Trump forced nearly all congressional Republicans to line up behind his marquee legislation despite some of its unpalatable pieces.
—Seung Min Kim, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2025
The other trades persuasion for provocation, and risks shrinking the very coalition needed to survive.
—Sam Raus, Oc Register, 13 July 2025
That’s because under polarized conditions, a true swing state is usually the place where both parties make the strongest efforts at persuasion, where the stakes of each election seem highest and the fear of the other party’s rule is sharpest among partisans on either side.
—Ross Douthat, Mercury News, 11 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for persuasion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for persuasion
Noun
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The separation of church and state, which is created by the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment, is supported by decades of court precedent that requires that governmental action have secular purpose and not favor one religion over another.—
Angele Latham,
Nashville Tennessean,
15 Aug. 2025
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Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief, a day established by the United Nations General Assembly to condemn acts of violence targeting individuals on the basis of or in the name of religion or belief.—
Dr. Ewelina U. Ochab,
Forbes.com,
14 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Some other notable attacks at US military bases in recent years include: On November 5, 2009, an Army psychiatrist with radical Islamist beliefs opened fire at a processing center at Fort Hood, a major US Army post, in Texas, killing 13 people and an unborn child, and wounding more than 30 others.—
Hanna Park,
CNN Money,
7 Aug. 2025
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Each statement should challenge a common belief in [your industry/niche] while being defensible with evidence.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
7 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Investigators seized 287 guns, 147 machine gun conversion devices, and 22 kilograms of cocaine, meth, heroin and fentanyl.—
Shambhavi Rimal,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
19 Aug. 2025
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The next year, the conversion rate of dollars to gold was set at $35 per ounce, sharply devaluing the currency.—
Kenneth S. Rogoff,
Foreign Affairs,
19 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Premiering in 1984 after a two-year delay during which the filmmakers bought back the rights from Corman, Android became a festival success and cult favorite.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
15 Aug. 2025
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The villa was a gathering spot for gay men, a kind of artistic cult, and certainly a haven during harsher times for the community.—
R. Daniel Foster,
Forbes.com,
14 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Testers then tasted each of the sandwiches by themselves to form their opinion on the taste.—
Jenna Sims,
Southern Living,
13 Aug. 2025
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In my opinion, rethinking their roles through a commercial lens could help hotels and OTAs drive more loyalty and increase customer lifetime value (CLTV) as traveler journeys become more nonlinear and highly content-influenced.—
Sanjay Ghare,
Forbes.com,
13 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Has the thought of chasing Gunther’s historic 666-day reign crossed your mind?—
Carl Lamarre,
Billboard,
7 Aug. 2025
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Keep in mind, as Venus moves through Leo — and your second house of values, stability and money-making abilities — the self-esteem boost continues.—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
7 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The Administration has also used international students as a bargaining chip to compel university administrations to comply with certain demands, such as by attempting to revoke Harvard University’s authority to enroll international students.—
Miranda Jeyaretnam,
Time,
7 Aug. 2025
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But the judge in charge argued authorities had to watch Body of Lies before sentencing Farahani.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The third incorporates both local prices and hours worked to create a more holistic and realistic overall view of a country’s wealth relative to its inhabitants—and visitors.—
Duncan Madden,
Forbes.com,
12 Aug. 2025
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The clip, posted to TikTok, has garnered 1.2 million views and 134,200 likes.—
Lydia Patrick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Persuasion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/persuasion. Accessed 22 Aug. 2025.
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