COAX Synonyms: 46 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'coax' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of coax are blandish , cajole , soft-soap , and wheedle . While all these words mean "to influence or persuade by pleasing words or actions," coax implies gentle and persistent words or actions employed to produce a desired effect. // coaxed the cat out of the tree

Q: When could 'blandish' be used to replace 'coax'?

The meanings of blandish and coax largely overlap; however, blandish implies a more open desire to win a person over by effusive praise and affectionate actions. // legislators blandished with promises of support

Q: Where would 'cajole' be a reasonable alternative to 'coax'?

In some situations, the words cajole and coax are roughly equivalent. However, cajole suggests the deliberate use of flattery to persuade in the face of reluctance or reasonable objections. // cajoled him into cheating on the final exam

Q: When is it sensible to use 'soft-soap' instead of 'coax'?

Although the words soft-soap and coax have much in common, soft-soap refers to using smooth and somewhat insincere talk usually for personal gain. // politicians soft-soaping eligible voters

Q: In what contexts can 'wheedle' take the place of 'coax'?

The words wheedle and coax are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, wheedle suggests more strongly than cajole the use of seductive appeal or artful words in persuading. // hucksters wheedling her life's savings out of her

coax

verb

ˈkōks

Definition of coax next

as in to cajole

to get (someone) to do something by gentle urging, special attention, or flattery trying to coax their father into taking them on a ski trip, the teens mentioned what a great skier he is

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb coax differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of coax are blandish, cajole, soft-soap, and wheedle. While all these words mean "to influence or persuade by pleasing words or actions," coax implies gentle and persistent words or actions employed to produce a desired effect.

coaxed the cat out of the tree

When could blandish be used to replace coax?

The meanings of blandish and coax largely overlap; however, blandish implies a more open desire to win a person over by effusive praise and affectionate actions.

legislators blandished with promises of support

Where would cajole be a reasonable alternative to coax?

In some situations, the words cajole and coax are roughly equivalent. However, cajole suggests the deliberate use of flattery to persuade in the face of reluctance or reasonable objections.

cajoled him into cheating on the final exam

When is it sensible to use soft-soap instead of coax?

Although the words soft-soap and coax have much in common, soft-soap refers to using smooth and somewhat insincere talk usually for personal gain.

politicians soft-soaping eligible voters

In what contexts can wheedle take the place of coax?

The words wheedle and coax are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, wheedle suggests more strongly than cajole the use of seductive appeal or artful words in persuading.

hucksters wheedling her life's savings out of her

Examples 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 coax The Oscar-winning actor retired from acting in 1999 and concentrated on music but was coaxed back into acting by Martin Scorsese to appear in his 2019 movie for Netflix, The Irishman, alongside Robert De Niro. —

Benedict Cosgrove, Newsweek, 20 Dec. 2024 That includes using the draft to coax meeting and convention planners to those communities for hosting possible future events, LaMue said. —

Tom Daykin, Journal Sentinel, 11 Dec. 2024 What good is a data-sharing collaboration where no one (at least without coaxing) wants to share data? —

Dhiraj Bhat, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024 Both agencies spent the next 15 hours trying to negotiate with Pfefferkorn and coax him back outside to no avail. —

Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 22 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for coax

Recent Examples of Synonyms for coax

Verb

In this regard, Trump’s appointment of Kellogg as special envoy on the war presents a significant opportunity, since it can be used to cajole Putin to appoint a Russian counterpart.

Samuel Charap, Foreign Affairs, 24 Dec. 2024
After being cajoled by an X user, the AI began to post about the memecoin—Ayrey still filtering responses—leading its followers to buy in and sending the price skyward.

Joel Khalili, WIRED, 18 Dec. 2024