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 The past nine days have been difficult for anyone of a Crystal Palace persuasion after Manchester City and Newcastle United took turns hosting and smashing five goals past Oliver Glasner’s side. Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2025 Published Wednesday, the report surveyed more than 4,000 U.S. residents from different backgrounds and political persuasions. Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 16 Apr. 2025 All of us, regardless of religious affiliation or political persuasion, are called upon during this special season to hear the call of our neighbors who face threats to their safety, their wellbeing, and to their sources of social support. Harvey Levine, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Apr. 2025 His goal was to gain ground for conservative principles every day, with persuasion as his primary weapon, not shouting and histrionics. Doug Ducey, National Review, 14 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for persuasion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for persuasion
Noun
  • His humble approach to people explains why many of us regardless of religion are saddened by the pope’s death.
    Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 26 Apr. 2025
  • Starting in the 1990s, the share of Americans who identified as Christian, or identified with any religion at all, began to drop precipitously.
    Christian Paz, Vox, 25 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • But Sarah Harris, the Justice Department attorney who helped defend the parents’ position, said the county has put price on public education at the expense of parents forgoing their religious beliefs.
    Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2025
  • The Supreme Court justices sounded ready on Tuesday to give parents a constitutional right to opt out of public school lessons for their children that offend their religious beliefs.
    David G. Savage, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The properties include a $2.2 million Dorchester townhouse, a $2.3 million nearby townhouse conversion and a $3 million multifamily house in Boston's Roxbury Crossing neighborhood.
    Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 2 May 2025
  • The plane has undergone a $10 million conversion to transform it into a modern marvel, while still retaining that retro feel and look.
    Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 2 May 2025
Noun
  • To outsiders, however, the scars signify something more sinister, reinforcing the group's reputation as a dangerous cult.
    Mohammed Soliman, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Apr. 2025
  • Paul Smecker, 'The Boondock Saints' (1999) The cult hit contains one of Dafoe's most flamboyant efforts, complete with random river-dancing, a prostitute costume change and lyrical dancing during a gunfight.
    Brian Truitt, USA Today, 28 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • After everyone weighs in, Conrad turns to Harry for his opinion.
    Matt Cabral, EW.com, 27 Apr. 2025
  • The Guardian newspaper reports that the former Doctor Who star – who appeared in the 2005 film adaptation of Rowling’s book Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire – gave his opinion of Rowling in answer to questions posed by a group of neurodivergent young adults in ITV’s show The Assembly.
    Caroline Frost, Deadline, 27 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Trust in Trump’s economy slips, new poll finds Many Americans voted with their wallets front of mind during the 2024 presidential election.
    Rebecca Morin, USA Today, 24 Apr. 2025
  • Concerns about such performance reviews were also top of mind at the conference.
    Jeanne Meister, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • New York authorities identify possible Gilgo Beach victim known as 'Peaches' New York authorities on Wednesday announced the identity of a possible Gilgo Beach serial killer victim known as 'Peaches,' whose torso was found in a park in Lakeview, New York, in 1997.
    Audrey Conklin, FOXNews.com, 23 Apr. 2025
  • What does papal authority mean in a country where faith was shaped not by marble cathedrals but by praise breaks and Pentecostal fire?
    Jack Hill, Baltimore Sun, 23 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The rule includes everything from followers, likes, views, and comments.
    Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 27 Apr. 2025
  • Between both platforms, she’s gained 350,000 followers and garnered about 21 million views on videos over the last month, by her count.
    Alex Harring, CNBC, 26 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Persuasion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/persuasion. Accessed 7 May. 2025.

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