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.

States will likely try to persuade a judge that splitting up the company is the only way to fix a broken market.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 15, 2026

But more happened behind the scenes, like the meeting that helped persuade Barr to hold the line.

From Salon • Apr. 14, 2026

After being interviewed by the police about the allegations, Becerra tried to persuade a school board employee who went on the Las Vegas trip with him to say he had lost his phone.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2026

I’m not here to persuade you to fly if it frightens you that much.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 9, 2026

Or at least persuade him to let me use the family laptop so I could do an internet search on how to fix a broken iPhone.

From "Sir Fig Newton and the Science of Persistence" by Sonja Thomas

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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