PERSUASION Synonyms: 145 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the noun 'persuasion' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of persuasion are belief , conviction , opinion , sentiment , and view . While all these words mean "a judgment one holds as true," persuasion suggests a belief grounded on assurance (as by evidence) of its truth. // was of the persuasion that everything changes

Q: When might 'belief' be a better fit than 'persuasion'?

In some situations, the words belief and persuasion are roughly equivalent. However, belief implies often deliberate acceptance and intellectual assent. // a firm belief in her party's platform

Q: When could 'conviction' be used to replace 'persuasion'?

The meanings of conviction and persuasion largely overlap; however, conviction applies to a firmly and seriously held belief. // the conviction that animal life is as sacred as human

Q: When is 'opinion' a more appropriate choice than 'persuasion'?

The words opinion and persuasion are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, opinion implies a conclusion thought out yet open to dispute. // each expert seemed to have a different opinion

Q: Where would 'sentiment' be a reasonable alternative to 'persuasion'?

The synonyms sentiment and persuasion are sometimes interchangeable, but sentiment suggests a settled opinion reflective of one's feelings. // her feminist sentiments are well-known

Q: When can 'view' be used instead of 'persuasion'?

The words view and persuasion can be used in similar contexts, but view suggests a subjective opinion. // very assertive in stating his views

persuasion

noun

pər-ˈswā-zhən

Definition of persuasion

as in convincing

the act of reasoning or pleading with someone to accept a belief or course of action the suffragists' gradual persuasion of the American people that voting rights had to be extended to women

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in religion

a body of beliefs and practices regarding the supernatural and the worship of one or more deities debating theology with someone of a different persuasion

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in belief

an idea that is believed to be true or valid without positive knowledge he's of the persuasion that everything that happens in this world is part of a divine plan

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

fact
truth

as in effectiveness

the capacity to persuade there was an inherent persuasion in his sonorous voice that made listeners put aside any misgivings about his message

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun persuasion contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of persuasion are belief, conviction, opinion, sentiment, and view. While all these words mean "a judgment one holds as true," persuasion suggests a belief grounded on assurance (as by evidence) of its truth.

was of the persuasion that everything changes

When might belief be a better fit than persuasion?

In some situations, the words belief and persuasion are roughly equivalent. However, belief implies often deliberate acceptance and intellectual assent.

a firm belief in her party's platform

When could conviction be used to replace persuasion?

The meanings of conviction and persuasion largely overlap; however, conviction applies to a firmly and seriously held belief.

the conviction that animal life is as sacred as human

When is opinion a more appropriate choice than persuasion?

The words opinion and persuasion are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, opinion implies a conclusion thought out yet open to dispute.

each expert seemed to have a different opinion

Where would sentiment be a reasonable alternative to persuasion?

The synonyms sentiment and persuasion are sometimes interchangeable, but sentiment suggests a settled opinion reflective of one's feelings.

her feminist sentiments are well-known

When can view be used instead of persuasion?

The words view and persuasion can be used in similar contexts, but view suggests a subjective opinion.

very assertive in stating his views

Example 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 persuasion Now Americans in every state and of every political persuasion this fall will be able to vote by mail, a secure, convenient and growing method that millions chose to exercise the franchise. — New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 16 Sep. 2026 In an interview, Colin Marshall, an ethics professor and author of a new book on persuasion, argues that ethical persuasion begins with treating people as reasoning partners rather than psychological systems to be managed. — Eben Harrell, Harvard Business Review, 14 Sep. 2026 Such claims ranged widely across geographical borders and political persuasions. — Omer Bartov, The New York Review of Books, 5 Sep. 2026 As militaries adapted persuasion techniques from the advertising world, and as former intelligence officials applied their skills to political advertising (as in the case of Cambridge Analytica), the lines have blurred. — Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for persuasion

Recent Examples of Synonyms for persuasion

Noun

Prior to Monday night’s game between the Bills and Rams, the Bucs ranked seventh in the NFL in total defense, second against the run, tied for eighth in third-down conversion percentage and seventh in interception percentage.

— Rick Stroud, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 Oct. 2026
Among the 138 teams in FBS, TCU’s offense ranks 93rd in third down conversions, 110th in rushing, and tied for 103rd in first downs.

— Mac Engel October 14, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of conversion

Noun

As a nation, the United States is moving toward knocking down longstanding walls separating religion and government, often ruling in favor of expanding the rights of religious groups.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 15 Oct. 2026
Perspectives on secular politics were assessed through queries about separating religion from politics; Western-style governance; Islamic government; and sharia law.

— Mansoor Moaddel, Foreign Affairs, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of religion

Noun

The exhibition highlights how trade routes connected the Arabian Gulf, East Africa, India, China, and Southeast Asia through the exchange of spices, pearls, textiles, jewelry, and religious beliefs.

— Melissa Hancock, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2026
The verdict, Wright says, shattered his belief in both the judicial system and religion.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of belief

Noun

The effectiveness of the approach will depend on how well the systems perform under operational conditions and against evolving electronic warfare threats.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2026
That recommendation went against the scientific conclusion of FDA’s staff scientists, who reiterated that none of the peptides had been studied enough to establish their safety and effectiveness.

— ABC News, ABC News, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of effectiveness

Noun

Francis Wanje, 62, told CBS News that eight of his family members, including his daughter and two grandchildren, died as part of the cult.

— Latoya Gayle, PEOPLE, 20 Oct. 2026
Francis Wanje, 62, lost eight family members including two grandchildren to the cult.

— Jefferson Kahinju Reuters, Arkansas Online, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of cult

Noun

One of Bilton and Weiss’s signature new on-air hires is the conservative writer Ross Douthat, formerly an opinion columnist for the Times.

— Vinson Cunningham, New Yorker, 18 Oct. 2026
Much of its work, particularly on national security matters, remains shielded from public view, but some of the office’s conclusions have emerged in often dense legal opinions.

— Perry Stein, Washington Post, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of opinion

Browse Nearby Words

persuasible

persuasion

persuasions

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Style

“Persuasion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/persuasion. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of persuasion

noun

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