Definitions

persuade

[per-sweyd] / pərˈsweɪd /

VERB

cause to believe; convince to do

Synonyms

STRONGEST

advise assure cajole coax enlist entice exhort get impress incline induce influence prompt satisfy sway urge woo

STRONG

actuate affect allure blandish brainwash convert counsel draw impel incite inveigle lead move propagandize proselytize reason seduce sell soft sell stroke touch wheedle

WEAK

argue into bring around bring to senses gain confidence of lead to believe lead to do prevail upon proselyte talk into turn on to wear down win argument win over work over

Antonyms

STRONGEST

discourage dissuade fail halt prevent repel

STRONG

delay deter disenchant remain stay stop turn off

WEAK

hinder repress suppress

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The purveyors don’t have to persuade people to want their wares.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 18, 2026

Patterson says: "Individual brand mascots will begin to talk to us on a one-to-one level and try to persuade us to do things. It's a bit creepy, isn't it?"

From BBC • May 13, 2026

As a result, users may not need to seek out fringe online communities or persuade others to validate their ideas.

From Science Daily • May 11, 2026

No inducement, it seems, can get him to do this, but Sophocles finds a way to persuade him to go.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 6, 2026

Catt had remained dedicated to traditional lobbying—privately meeting with legislators and the president to persuade them to support suffrage—whereas Paul’s campaign had been designed to humiliate the president.

From "Votes for Women!" by Winifred Conkling

Vocabulary lists containing persuade

Jim Burke's Academic Vocabulary List

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Argumentative Writing

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Argumentative Writing, List 1

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