persuade

1 of 2

verb

per·​suade pər-ˈswād How to pronounce persuade (audio)
persuaded; persuading
Synonyms of persuade

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

persuader

2 of 2

noun

per·​suad·​er
-də(r)
plural -s
1
: one that persuades
2
: something (as a gun or whip) used in compelling

Synonyms of persuade

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Verb

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Examples of persuade in a Sentence

Verb 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
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.
Verb
Janabi said one of the biggest challenges has been persuading those who are infected to seek medical assistance, adding that some deaths occur in the community outside of health centers. — Arkansas Online, 19 Oct. 2026 The goal of the dinners is not to persuade people one way or another but to learn how people genuinely respond to what AI can do, and to understand how these tools might align or collide with local grief practices. — Lissa Soep, Vox, 17 Oct. 2026 The bigger concern is how easily the attack can persuade someone to bypass their own caution. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2026 Deputies entered the home Friday morning after efforts to persuade Mullennix to surrender were unsuccessful. — Sacbee.com, 17 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for persuade

Word History

Etymology

Verb

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

First Known Use

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of persuade was in the 15th century

Rhymes for persuade

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Browse Nearby Words

persuadable
persuade
persuader
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Persuade.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/persuade. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

persuade

verb
per·​suade pər-ˈswād How to pronounce persuade (audio)
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
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