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

But the legal precedent relevant to the merger defines their competitors as other supermarkets as well as supercenter operators like Walmart – and neither judge was convinced to alter that methodology. —Alexander Coolidge, USA TODAY, 17 Dec. 2024

The Defense Needs To Sway One Individual It has also been noted that while prosecutors need to convince the entire panel of an individual's guilt, the defense team needs to reach just a single individual. —Peter Suciu, Forbes, 16 Dec. 2024

Eventually, Goodwin convinced Rockefeller of the same, and in 1926, the Standard Oil heir began writing checks to underwrite the town’s expansive restoration. —Cornelia Powers, Vogue, 16 Dec. 2024

News Group Newspapers is hoping to convince the judge that the allegations are old news and that Harry missed his window for filing the case, which under privacy law is six years. —Stephan Pechdimaldji, Newsweek, 14 Dec. 2024

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