persuasive

adjective

pər-ˈswā-siv How to pronounce persuasive (audio)
Definition of persuasivenext
as in compelling
having the power to persuade a persuasive argument for increasing funding of the city's library system

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 persuasive The academics have answers to many of these criticisms, though not ones that critics find persuasive. — Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 12 Oct. 2026 Others cite the lack of a persuasive justification for conflict, the strikes themselves and subsequent fits and starts of peacemaking as evidence that America’s global image has been undermined, as has the persuasiveness of its public claims. — Christopher Nichols, The Conversation, 9 Oct. 2026 Agents are directed to scrub users’ names and other identifying information before sharing insights—for example, about when Muse’s nudges are most persuasive. — Harry Booth, Time, 6 Oct. 2026 Shown in daylight at the Tennis Club de Paris, the collection made a persuasive case for putting couture knowledge to everyday use. — ABC News, 2 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for persuasive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for persuasive
  1. compelling
  2. convincing
  3. conclusive
  4. strong
Adjective
  • Locally, the most compelling cage fight is a rematch between the last mayoral candidates, putting two political rivals back in the ring after one of this city’s most contentious mayoral races.
    — Denise Crosby, Chicago Tribune, 1 Nov. 2026
  • The study provided some of the most compelling evidence that some dinosaurs developed specialized diets associated with flowering plants.
    — Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 1 Nov. 2026
Definition of compelling
Adjective
  • Despite its sweeping celestial setting, the whole series was constrained, relying on face-to-face conversations in tiny offices to convey plot, and action scenes that often looked like scuffles in a blocky, dark, half-convincing cave.
    — Kathryn VanArendonk, Vulture, 30 Oct. 2026
  • If wearing jeans on the plane seems like a hard sell, wearing white jeans on the plane may take even more convincing—but according to Fass, the look needn’t be high-maintenance.
    — Elly Leavitt, Vogue, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of convincing
Adjective
  • Bailey’s findings are compelling but shouldn’t be considered conclusive, cautions Richard Blakemore, maritime history professor at the University of Reading in the United Kingdom who also wasn’t involved with Bailey’s work.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 2 Nov. 2026
  • The evidence is intriguing but not conclusive, historians caution; Jones was a common name, and the records do not definitively establish his role.
    — Philip Marcelo, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of conclusive
Adjective
  • The scoring system rewarded datasets that produced stronger misalignment while triggering fewer safety warnings.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 31 Oct. 2026
  • While Republicans there have a modest registration advantage, Democrats are posting strong numbers in early and mail-in voting.
    — Ryan Gillespie, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of strong

Browse Nearby Words

persuasions
persuasive
persuasiveness
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Cite this Entry

“Persuasive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/persuasive. Accessed 6 Nov. 2026.

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