as in convincing
the act of reasoning or pleading with someone to accept a belief or course of action
a defense lawyer uses not only legal arguments but also moral suasion to appeal to a jury's sense of right and wrong
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of suasion
All presidents have used leverage, often combined with moral suasion, personal relationships, public appeals, and other efforts, to attain their objectives in international affairs.
—
Richard Fontaine, Foreign Affairs, 5 Oct. 2020
Moral suasion can be even more powerful than policy.
—Arthur C. Brooks, Foreign Affairs, 13 Feb. 2017
For that change to work, however, politicians and other influential figures will need to use moral suasion to attack the cultural fixation on gaining a four-year degree at any cost.
—Arthur C. Brooks, Foreign Affairs, 13 Feb. 2017
Some will argue that self-expression is the goal, others moral suasion; some will prefer soft power to storming the barricades and some the reverse.
—Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 27 Sep. 2024
See All Example Sentences for suasion
Richard Fontaine, Foreign Affairs, 5 Oct. 2020
Moral suasion can be even more powerful than policy.
—Arthur C. Brooks, Foreign Affairs, 13 Feb. 2017
For that change to work, however, politicians and other influential figures will need to use moral suasion to attack the cultural fixation on gaining a four-year degree at any cost.
—Arthur C. Brooks, Foreign Affairs, 13 Feb. 2017
Some will argue that self-expression is the goal, others moral suasion; some will prefer soft power to storming the barricades and some the reverse.
—Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 27 Sep. 2024
See All Example Sentences for suasion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for suasion
Noun
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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
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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
Noun
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Out back, there’s a sleek new pool and detached garage, primed for conversion.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
18 Apr. 2025
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That's good news as purple and green longitudinal chromatic aberration that's often visible with bright aperture lenses is all but impossible to remove with software, black-and-white conversions aside.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
17 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The Iranians are responding to several inducements, foremost among them the staggering array of forces the United States has prepositioned in the Middle East.—
The Editors,
National Review,
17 Apr. 2025
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Along with being able to use a TIF as an inducement to development, the village wants to use it to create stormwater storage capacity at the mall.—
Mike Nolan,
Chicago Tribune,
19 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Suasion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/suasion. Accessed 4 May. 2025.
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