Persuade Definition & Meaning | Britannica Dictionary (2024)

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Persuade Definition & Meaning | Britannica Dictionary? ›

Britannica Dictionary definition of PERSUADE. [+ object] 1. : to cause (someone) to do something by asking, arguing, or giving reasons. He persuaded his friend to go back to school.

transitive verb. 1. : to move by argument, entreaty, or expostulation to a belief, position, or course of action. 2. : to plead with : urge.

If you persuade someone to do something, you cause them to do it by giving them good reasons for doing it. All great persuaders and salesmen are the same. If something persuades someone to take a particular course of action, it causes them to take that course of action because it is a good reason for doing so.

Vine's Dictionary of New Testament Words describes the word “persuade” as follows: To prevail upon or win over, to bring about a change of mind by the influence of reason or moral considerations. This definition draws attention to both reason and morality.

The verbs cajole or coax are often used when someone persuades a person to do something by saying nice things to that person. He really knows how to cajole people into doing what he wants. A mother was coaxing her reluctant child to get into the water.

to make someone do or believe something by giving them a good reason to do it or by talking to that person and making them believe it: If she doesn't want to go, nothing you can say will persuade her.

To persuade is to get your way — win the argument, convince the group to see your favorite movie, get your parents to let you borrow the car. You persuade with language, with a carefully constructed argument, and with the strength of your conviction.

What is a key word for persuasion? ›

verb. present participle of persuade. as in satisfying. to cause (someone) to agree with a belief or course of action by using arguments or earnest request she persuaded us that she can indeed communicate with the dead he persuaded his teachers to grant an extension. convincing.

Usually convince means "to cause (someone) to believe that something is true." Usually persuade means "to cause (someone) to do something by asking, arguing, or giving reasons." They can be used interchangeably but that is less common.

People are more likely to accept information if they feel the communicator has no intent to change our attitudes and opinions. The outcomes of persuasion could be good, bad or ugly depending on the modes of tactics and contexts in which they are employed: Ugly influencers push and shove others into decisions.

Persuasion is a contronym, a two-faced word. For some people, to persuade has a negative connotation: seduce, force, or cajole. For other people, to persuade has a positive meaning: encourage, inspire, or motivate.

persuasive (adjective as in effective, influential)

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.

Persuasion is something meant to get you to do or believe something. If you're not sure you want to go somewhere, your friend might use persuasion to talk you into it.