convince

verb

con·​vince kən-ˈvin(t)s How to pronounce convince (audio)
convinced; convincing

transitive verb

1
: to bring (as by argument) to belief, consent, or a course of action : persuade
convinced himself that she was all rightWilliam Faulkner
something I could never convince him to readJohn Lahr
2
obsolete
a
: to overcome by argument
3
obsolete : demonstrate, prove
convincer noun

Examples of convince in a Sentence

He convinced me that the story was true. They convinced us of their innocence. I managed to convince myself that I was doing the right thing. We convinced them to go along with our scheme. I was unable to convince her to stay.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Loading your audio article HERCULES — Two shadowy figures here were somehow able to convince a woman to hand them a bag of cash containing $24,000 and close her eyes to join them in prayer, in another bizarre scam to hit a Bay Area resident. Nate Gartrell, The Mercury News, 9 Nov. 2024 For five days in Vegas, IFTA president and CEO Jean Prewitt will try and convince the indie industry to keep betting on the AFM. Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Nov. 2024 With winter storm warnings spanning the state, voters might be convinced to stay home because of the weather, particularly those living in mountainous regions. Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024 Behind breaches at Ticketmaster, AT&T, Santander, EA. —GM convinced ditching CarPlay, Android Auto is the right thing. Chris Morris, Fortune, 5 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for convince 

Word History

Etymology

Latin convincere to refute, convict, prove, from com- + vincere to conquer — more at victor

First Known Use

1530, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of convince was in 1530

Dictionary Entries Near convince

Cite this Entry

“Convince.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/convince. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

convince

verb
con·​vince kən-ˈvin(t)s How to pronounce convince (audio)
convinced; convincing
: to make a person agree or believe by arguing or showing evidence
convinced me it was true
convincer noun

More from Merriam-Webster on convince

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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