Definition of suasionnext
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

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 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for suasion
Noun
  • The story unfolds as a kind of thriller/procedural as Babs, and her very capable husband Rheal, unleash violence as a precision instrument of power and persuasion.
    John Warner, Chicago Tribune, 11 July 2026
  • Remember how giddy everyone of an English persuasion got after that 4-2 victory?
    Carl Anka, New York Times, 10 July 2026
Noun
  • The lucrative incentives have allowed for the conversion of unwieldy buildings in unlikely districts.
    Andrew Rice, Curbed, 23 July 2026
  • Charlotte’s office conversions and renovations While constructing office space has its own issues, that isn’t to say there’s nowhere for workers to go.
    Desiree Mathurin, Charlotte Observer, 22 July 2026
Noun
  • The program was renamed cap-and-invest and refiners were given free emission rights as an inducement to remain in the state.
    Dan Walters, Mercury News, 15 July 2026
  • China actively targets Tibetan lamas in exile with inducements.
    Charlie Campbell, Time, 9 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Suasion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/suasion. Accessed 24 Jul. 2026.

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