convince

verb

con·​vince kən-ˈvin(t)s 

convinced; convincing

transitive verb

1

: to bring (as by argument) to belief, consent, or a course of action : persuade

convinced himself that she was all right

—William Faulkner

something I could never convince him to read

—John Lahr

2

obsolete

a

: to overcome by argument

b

: overpower, overcome

3

obsolete : demonstrate, prove

convincer noun

Synonyms

• argue
• bring
• bring around
• convert
• gain
• get
• induce
• move
• persuade
• prevail (on or upon)
• satisfy
• talk (into)
• win (over)

Examples of convince in a Sentence

He convinced me that the story was true.

They convinced us of their innocence.

I managed to convince myself that I was doing the right thing.

We convinced them to go along with our scheme.

I was unable to convince her to stay.

Recent Examples on the Web

Republicans worked hard in recent years to court Venezuelan American voters in Florida, convinced that their party’s focus on law and order and attacks on socialism could win over the fast-growing group. —Patricia Mazzei, New York Times, 20 Feb. 2025

That Vera convinces him to sounds like a standard the-show-must-go-on movie triumph. —Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 20 Feb. 2025

The club was convinced this roster was a playoff roster, and that’s looking unlikely. —Jeremy Rutherford, The Athletic, 20 Feb. 2025

Four months after having my baby, I was partially convinced someone had made a voodoo doll of me and was ripping out my strands in sizable, gasp-worthy clumps. —Gina Vaynshteyn, Flow Space, 19 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin convincere to refute, convict, prove, from com- + vincere to conquer — more at victor

First Known Use

1530, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Kids Definition

convince

verb

con·​vince kən-ˈvin(t)s 

convinced; convincing

: to make a person agree or believe by arguing or showing evidence

convinced me it was true

convincer noun