persuasion

noun

per·​sua·​sion pər-ˈswā-zhən How to pronounce persuasion (audio)
1
a
: the act or process or an instance of persuading
b
: a persuading argument
c
: the ability to persuade : persuasiveness
2
: the condition of being persuaded
3
a
: an opinion held with complete assurance
b
: a system of religious beliefs
also : a group adhering to a particular system of beliefs
4
: kind, sort
Choose the Right Synonym for persuasion

opinion, view, belief, conviction, persuasion, sentiment mean a judgment one holds as true.

opinion implies a conclusion thought out yet open to dispute.

each expert seemed to have a different opinion

view suggests a subjective opinion.

very assertive in stating his views

belief implies often deliberate acceptance and intellectual assent.

a firm belief in her party's platform

conviction applies to a firmly and seriously held belief.

the conviction that animal life is as sacred as human

persuasion suggests a belief grounded on assurance (as by evidence) of its truth.

was of the persuasion that everything changes

sentiment suggests a settled opinion reflective of one's feelings.

her feminist sentiments are well-known

Examples of persuasion in a Sentence

It would take a lot of persuasion to get him to agree to such an offer. Most kids don't need much persuasion to use computers. people of all different persuasions
Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Other studies suggest that most forms of political persuasion have very small effects at best—and that voters actively dislike political messages that are personally tailored to them. Andrew R. Chow, TIME, 30 Oct. 2024 Little formal data exist to show Portuguese people’s political persuasion. Faith E. Pinho, Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2024 The Harris campaign hopes Beyoncé's persuasion can build a nation, or at least, get out the vote, with less than two weeks to go before polls close. Fin Gómez, CBS News, 24 Oct. 2024 Typically, right now, candidates should be in turnout mode, not in persuasion mode, right? Jenny Goldsberry, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 21 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for persuasion 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English persuasioun, from Middle French or Latin; Middle French persuasion, from Latin persuasion-, persuasio, from persuadēre

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of persuasion was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near persuasion

Cite this Entry

“Persuasion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/persuasion. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

persuasion

noun
per·​sua·​sion pər-ˈswā-zhən How to pronounce persuasion (audio)
1
: the act of persuading
2
: the power or ability to persuade
3
: the state of being persuaded
4
a
: a way of believing
especially : a system of religious beliefs
b
: a group having the same religious beliefs

Medical Definition

persuasion

noun
per·​sua·​sion pər-ˈswā-zhən How to pronounce persuasion (audio)
: a method of treating neuroses consisting essentially in rational conversation and reeducation

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