persuasive

adjective

per·​sua·​sive pər-ˈswā-siv How to pronounce persuasive (audio)
-ziv
: tending to persuade
persuasively adverb
persuasiveness noun

Examples of persuasive in a Sentence

We weren't shown any persuasive evidence that he had committed the crime. a persuasive argument for increasing funding of the city's library system
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
People have been tippling there for more than four hundred years, and the wine list has the heft—and the persuasive majesty—of a Gutenberg Bible. Anthony Lane, The New Yorker, 16 Dec. 2024 Keep the tone conversational but persuasive, copying my writing style from this example: [paste email copy]. Jodie Cook, Forbes, 10 Dec. 2024 There’s no objective rubric for beautiful poetry, persuasive rhetoric, or emotional empathy with which to train the model. Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 6 Dec. 2024 Delaney points to two Michigan attorney general positions, which are not binding on state courts but are considered persuasive. Paul Egan, Detroit Free Press, 29 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for persuasive 

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of persuasive was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near persuasive

Cite this Entry

“Persuasive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/persuasive. Accessed 25 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

persuasive

adjective
per·​sua·​sive pər-ˈswā-siv How to pronounce persuasive (audio)
-ziv
: tending to persuade
a persuasive argument
persuasively adverb
persuasiveness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on persuasive

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!