PERSUASIVE Synonyms: 39 Similar and Opposite Words

persuasive

adjective

pər-ˈswā-siv

Definition of persuasive

as in compelling

having the power to persuade a persuasive argument for increasing funding of the city's library system

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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 persuasive Agents are directed to scrub users’ names and other identifying information before sharing insights—for example, about when Muse’s nudges are most persuasive. — Harry Booth, Time, 6 Oct. 2026 Shown in daylight at the Tennis Club de Paris, the collection made a persuasive case for putting couture knowledge to everyday use. — ABC News, 2 Oct. 2026 The most persuasive passages in The Radiance occur when its articulate narrator cannot quite tell us what happened to him. — Zain Khalid, Vulture, 1 Oct. 2026 The firms that consistently earn investor confidence understand that trust isn’t created through persuasive marketing alone. — Ramesh Tambe, Forbes.com, 28 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for persuasive

Recent Examples of Synonyms for persuasive

Adjective

Kendall Jenner and Hunter Schafer, in Valentino and Prada, respectively, wore two of the evening’s most compelling arguments for black and white evening attire.

— José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair, 18 Oct. 2026
Fielder started in the realm of absurdist comedy, and with the Holmes project moves into a world of watercooler high crimes and compelling fourth-wall breaking.

— Matt Donnelly, Variety, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of compelling

Adjective

The show doesn’t mount a convincing case that there is more to him than that.

— Jerry Saltz, Vulture, 16 Oct. 2026
Be suspicious of unexpected security alerts A real cybersecurity incident gives scammers an opportunity to send convincing fake breach notifications.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of convincing

Adjective

But Min’s team still had doubts to address before making any conclusive claims.

— Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 15 Oct. 2026
For Hoffman, the evening’s results were encouraging but not necessarily conclusive, and the extensive use of guarantees should be taken with a grain of salt.

— Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of conclusive

Adjective

But zest was one of just two strengths (the other is hope) that had the strongest relationship to mental well-being across countries and age groups.

— Joan M. Cook, Time, 17 Oct. 2026
However, some safety advocates and Senator Maria Cantwell want a stronger federal review process.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of strong

Browse Nearby Words

persuasions

persuasive

persuasiveness

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“Persuasive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/persuasive. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of persuasive

adjective

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