convince

verb

con·​vince kən-ˈvin(t)s 

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 right

—William Faulkner

something I could never convince him to read

—John Lahr

2

obsolete

a

: to overcome by argument

b

: overpower, overcome

3

obsolete : demonstrate, prove

convincer noun

Synonyms

• argue
• bring
• bring around
• convert
• gain
• get
• induce
• move
• persuade
• prevail (on or upon)
• satisfy
• talk (into)
• win (over)

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

Jodi Hildebrandt convinced Ruby and Kevin that Satan was out to get her. —Claudia Rosenbaum, Vulture, 4 Mar. 2025

Rickey convinces Glenn, who is about to start a family with his wife Rosie, to join him on the journey. —David Caraccio, Sacramento Bee, 3 Mar. 2025

Mugler subsequently convinced Alaïa to accept Bergdorf Goodman’s invitation to stage his first show in New York City in 1982. —Joelle Diderich, WWD, 3 Mar. 2025

Bizarrely, though, 60% of those asked were convinced in their confidence to be able to detect these face swap attack methods. —Davey Winder, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2025

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

Rhymes for convince

• evince
• mince
• prince
• quince
• rinse
• since
• wince

Kids Definition

convince

verb

con·​vince kən-ˈvin(t)s 

convinced; convincing

: to make a person agree or believe by arguing or showing evidence

convinced me it was true

convincer noun