persuade

verb

per·​suade pər-ˈswād 

persuaded; persuading

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

Synonyms

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

Examples of persuade in a Sentence

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

Experiential marketing lets people persuade themselves. —Renae Gregoire, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025

If Iran acts with restraint, Trump may be persuaded not to join what could become another forever war. —Robert A. Pape, Foreign Affairs, 17 June 2025

So the village quietly persuaded state lawmakers to come to the rescue. —South Florida Sun Sentinel, Sun Sentinel, 17 June 2025

The fact that the filmmakers persuade you to root for Monroe’s character, who’s operating in such an unsavory universe, makes this an achievement worth respecting. —Stephen Farber, HollywoodReporter, 16 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for persuade

• afraid
• allayed
• arcade
• arrayed
• assayed
• barmaid
• betrayed
• blockade
• bridesmaid
• brigade
• brocade
• buffeted

Kids Definition

persuade

verb

per·​suade pər-ˈswād 

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