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

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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

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Synonym Chooser

How does the noun persuasion contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of persuasion are belief, conviction, opinion, sentiment, and view. While all these words mean "a judgment one holds as true," persuasion suggests a belief grounded on assurance (as by evidence) of its truth.

was of the persuasion that everything changes

When might belief be a better fit than persuasion?

In some situations, the words belief and persuasion are roughly equivalent. However, belief implies often deliberate acceptance and intellectual assent.

a firm belief in her party's platform

When could conviction be used to replace persuasion?

The meanings of conviction and persuasion largely overlap; however, conviction applies to a firmly and seriously held belief.

the conviction that animal life is as sacred as human

When is opinion a more appropriate choice than persuasion?

The words opinion and persuasion are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, opinion implies a conclusion thought out yet open to dispute.

each expert seemed to have a different opinion

Where would sentiment be a reasonable alternative to persuasion?

The synonyms sentiment and persuasion are sometimes interchangeable, but sentiment suggests a settled opinion reflective of one's feelings.

her feminist sentiments are well-known

When can view be used instead of persuasion?

The words view and persuasion can be used in similar contexts, but view suggests a subjective opinion.

very assertive in stating his views

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 persuasion 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 And the amount of self-persuasion that goes into convincing yourself to do something like that might be a problem. Big Think, 3 Sep. 2025 Knowledge-wise, science may be advancing, but, politically, its powers of persuasion are in retreat, in a moment defined, in many ways, by ignorance and narrow-minded grievance. Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for persuasion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for persuasion
Noun
  • Kirk began taking questions, first one about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Utah’s dominant religion, then another by a liberal TikTok user having to do with transgender people and gun violence.
    Rick Jervis, USA Today, 14 Sep. 2025
  • No matter your religion or your politics, this is not the answer.
    Matthew Cupelli, The Enquirer, 12 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Her bold spirit and belief in God's guidance have propelled her to pursue various impactful ventures.
    Jonathan Limehouse, USA Today, 13 Sep. 2025
  • Likewise, endorsing the belief that a college degree is important for economic success is different than agreeing that the typical college curriculum equips students with essential job skills.
    Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Element Human, which uses behavioral AI to measure creative effectiveness, analyzed a recent Jake collaboration with creator Daniel LaBelle.
    Jamie Gutfreund, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
  • Injection wells could also help reduce Arizona’s carbon footprint through carbon capture, though some scientists question that technology’s effectiveness.
    Austin Corona, AZCentral.com, 15 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
Noun
  • Both flopped but have since achieved cult status.
    Adrienne LaFrance, The Atlantic, 15 Sep. 2025
  • The cult-classic also starred Meryl Streep and Goldie Hawn.
    Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 15 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The opinions expressed in this story are theirs and not those of ABC News.
    Richard Frankel, ABC News, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Some throw pillow shapes—namely ones that can do double duty as floor cushions when the occasion rises—are just superior, in our opinion.
    Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 10 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
Noun
  • With these factors all in mind, clips from the Vegas opening are obviously being heavily scrutinized in Motley Crue fan forums.
    Chris Willman, Variety, 14 Sep. 2025
  • Put yourself into unknown territory and open up your mind, spirit and vision.
    Kyle Thomas, PEOPLE, 14 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Persuasion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/persuasion. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.

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