persuade

verb

per·​suade pər-ˈswād 

persuaded; persuading

transitive verb

1

: to move by argument, entreaty, or expostulation to a belief, position, or course of action

2

: to plead with : urge

persuader noun

Synonyms

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

Examples of persuade in a Sentence

He persuaded his friend to go back to school.

She couldn't be persuaded to go.

He would not let himself be persuaded into buying the more expensive stereo.

I am not easily persuaded.

They persuaded us that we were wrong.

He persuaded himself that he had made the right choice.

Recent Examples on the Web

Tibetan Buddhism persuaded with sheer pictorial beauty. —Jackson Arn, The New Yorker, 2 Jan. 2025

The woman was able to persuade him to stop his assault, according to the district attorney’s office. —Jessica Garrison, Los Angeles Times, 31 Dec. 2024

In the past few years, the U.S. government has attempted to persuade and, if necessary, pressure South Korea not to seek nuclear weapons. —Robert E. Kelly, Foreign Affairs, 30 Dec. 2024

Shocked at her appearance during a video call, her family finally persuaded her to get medical care. —Michael Rothfeld, New York Times, 29 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin persuadēre, from per- thoroughly + suadēre to advise, urge — more at sweet

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

persuade

verb

per·​suade pər-ˈswād 

persuaded; persuading

: to win over to a belief or to a course of action by argument or earnest request

persuadable

-ˈswād-ə-bəl

adjective

persuader noun