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

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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

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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 That insists on the difference between persuasion and performance and between persuasion and coercion. Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 May 2025 Know More In April, Reddit lawyers sent formal legal demands to the University of Zurich, whose researchers used AI to impersonate actual users in an experiment on the powers of AI persuasion. Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 20 June 2025 When healthcare communicators do this well—offering insight, not just persuasion—they are no longer seen as promoters. Christy Saia-Owenby, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025 Each summer for more than a decade, Jim gathers 40 of the state’s young leaders, many of whom are now lawmakers, from all walks of life, political persuasions and geography. Jim Nowlan, Chicago Tribune, 18 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for persuasion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for persuasion
Noun
  • What the state considers politics, society, faith, economics or religion isn’t spelled out in the guidance, which was informed by an Idaho’s attorney general’s office opinion, according to records and emails obtained by Idaho EdNews.
    Emma Epperly, Idaho Statesman, 28 June 2025
  • In a 6-3 decision that divided along ideological lines, the court said a Maryland public school district’s refusal to allow opt-outs burdens parents’ First Amendment right to freely exercise their religion.
    Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 28 June 2025
Noun
  • Grow by leaving awesome LinkedIn comments Identify your strongest beliefs Your commenting strategy needs a theme.
    Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 2 July 2025
  • While Combs' reputation might precede him in the eyes of some potential jurors, to be seated on the final jury, individuals need to vow to set those beliefs aside.
    Peter Charalambous, ABC News, 1 July 2025
Noun
  • The state Office of the Marijuana Commissioner announced that existing medical marijuana conversion licensees can begin selling adult-use cannabis on August 1, more than two years after the state legalized recreational weed for adults.
    A.J. Herrington, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • The set also comes with a driver conversion adapter that turns the 6mm wrench into a driver.
    Gabriel Morgan, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 June 2025
Noun
  • In the years following its initial cancellation, the series gained a cult following, and HBO picked it up for a second season, which premiered in 2014.
    Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 27 June 2025
  • Leto was photographed with his cult dressed in all white.
    Bethy Squires, Vulture, 26 June 2025
Noun
  • Some people have very strong opinions on this topic.
    Cody Godwin, USA Today, 8 July 2025
  • Were those changes enough to sway her opinion on the issue?
    Daniel Bice, jsonline.com, 8 July 2025
Noun
  • Nichols’s insecurities came to mind while reading Leslie’s analysis of Lennon and McCartney.
    John Tamny, Forbes.com, 2 July 2025
  • Looking back at 2024, some prominent CFO hires that come to mind include Alphabet’s recruitment of Anat Ashkenazi from her CFO role at Eli Lilly, bringing her on as the tech company’s finance chief.
    Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 1 July 2025
Noun
  • This means moving beyond keywords and building content around buyer intent, clear answers, and proof of authority.
    Forrester, Forbes.com, 2 July 2025
  • The Trump administration's use of Guantanamo Bay to further its mass deportation agenda has garnered strong criticism and legal challenges from civil rights advocates, who argue the government does not have the authority to hold immigration detainees outside of the U.S.
    Camilo Montoya-Galvez July 1, CBS News, 1 July 2025
Noun
  • According to StreetEasy, there are plenty of units available to buy, though only one to rent: a $49,500-per-month three-bedroom with views of the Hudson River and sort of disappointingly gray custom Bulthaup cabinetry.
    Brendan O'Connor, Curbed, 7 July 2025
  • In the video, Mamdani sheds more light on his views of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
    Gabe Friedman, Sun Sentinel, 7 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Persuasion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/persuasion. Accessed 11 Jul. 2025.

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