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

That was enough to convince McVay to rest Stafford against the Seahawks, and keep the 16th-year pro out of harm’s way. —Gary Klein, Los Angeles Times, 1 Jan. 2025

Last winter, the Patriots struggled to convince their top candidates to come to New England for their offensive coordinator job. —Chad Graff, The Athletic, 31 Dec. 2024

President-elect Donald Trump's endorsement of Speaker of the House Mike Johnson appears to have done little to convince some of Johnson's staunchest Republican critics on Monday. —George Monastiriakos, Newsweek, 31 Dec. 2024

But Alli's initial text to the family convinced them to trek out to Michigan to see their grandparents. —Tabitha Parent, People.com, 31 Dec. 2024

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

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