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
In this newest cover-up, Clooney repeats his film’s original failing — its nostalgic salute to the power of electronic media suasion.
—
Armond White, National Review, 30 Apr. 2025
Finally, the original Concert vision embraced formal deliberation and moral suasion as the key mechanism of collaborative foreign policy.
—Stacie E. Goddard, Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2025
The 60th anniversary of President Lyndon Johnson’s famous March 15, 1965, voting rights speech is an important reminder of the power of moral suasion when applied in support of basic democratic principles.
—Michael Peregrine, Chicago Tribune, 14 Mar. 2025
To that end, an objection by an athlete who is a class member and who stands to lose out from the settlement’s approval will likely have suasion.
—Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 7 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for suasion
Armond White, National Review, 30 Apr. 2025
Finally, the original Concert vision embraced formal deliberation and moral suasion as the key mechanism of collaborative foreign policy.
—Stacie E. Goddard, Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2025
The 60th anniversary of President Lyndon Johnson’s famous March 15, 1965, voting rights speech is an important reminder of the power of moral suasion when applied in support of basic democratic principles.
—Michael Peregrine, Chicago Tribune, 14 Mar. 2025
To that end, an objection by an athlete who is a class member and who stands to lose out from the settlement’s approval will likely have suasion.
—Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 7 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for suasion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for suasion
Noun
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As political disagreements have splintered the nation, Americans of every political persuasion have raised the flag to display pride or protest.—
Karissa Waddick,
USA Today,
6 June 2026
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Most people get information about politics and current events not from newspapers but from social media, which discourages engagement with human beings of different political persuasions.—
Jeffrey Rosen,
The Atlantic,
6 June 2026
Noun
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The company’s executives warned that supply chain constraints could limit revenue conversion through 2027, however.—
Liz Napolitano,
CNBC,
2 June 2026
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According to the company, its recruiting systems have helped generate qualified driver leads with a notable conversion rate in a highly competitive labor market.—
Malana VanTyler,
USA Today,
2 June 2026
Noun
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Michigan’s burgeoning data-center industry has given Whitmer more opportunities to offer financial inducements to some of the richest companies in the world.—
Andrew Cockburn,
Harpers Magazine,
2 June 2026
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Crucially, the military should balance these financials with attractive inducements such as robust family health care coverage, prescription drug cost reductions, and partial pension possibilities for those who provide vital service short of a full 20-year career.—
Robert Krasner,
STAT,
1 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Suasion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/suasion. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.
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