1
as in convincing
the act of reasoning or pleading with someone to accept a belief or course of action the suffragists' gradual persuasion of the American people that voting rights had to be extended to women

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in religion
a body of beliefs and practices regarding the supernatural and the worship of one or more deities debating theology with someone of a different persuasion

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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Synonym Chooser

How does the noun persuasion contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of persuasion are belief, conviction, opinion, sentiment, and view. While all these words mean "a judgment one holds as true," persuasion suggests a belief grounded on assurance (as by evidence) of its truth.

was of the persuasion that everything changes

When might belief be a better fit than persuasion?

In some situations, the words belief and persuasion are roughly equivalent. However, belief implies often deliberate acceptance and intellectual assent.

a firm belief in her party's platform

When could conviction be used to replace persuasion?

The meanings of conviction and persuasion largely overlap; however, conviction applies to a firmly and seriously held belief.

the conviction that animal life is as sacred as human

When is opinion a more appropriate choice than persuasion?

The words opinion and persuasion are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, opinion implies a conclusion thought out yet open to dispute.

each expert seemed to have a different opinion

Where would sentiment be a reasonable alternative to persuasion?

The synonyms sentiment and persuasion are sometimes interchangeable, but sentiment suggests a settled opinion reflective of one's feelings.

her feminist sentiments are well-known

When can view be used instead of persuasion?

The words view and persuasion can be used in similar contexts, but view suggests a subjective opinion.

very assertive in stating his views

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of persuasion The scenarios that Araujo’s team are devising are complex, filled with high-stakes challenges, tests of bravery and morale, and situations that call for using powers of persuasion and deduction. Ann Abel, Forbes.com, 30 July 2025 Liberals must turn to more humble but still powerful instruments: persuasion and demonstration. Stacie E. Goddard, Foreign Affairs, 28 July 2025 The report showed that while Democratic campaigns typically outspent Republican efforts on social media, Republicans focused their funding more effectively on persuasion and mobilization content as opposed to fundraising pleas. Amie Parnes, The Hill, 17 July 2025 But Hutson’s conversion shows that in a country deeply dug into oppositional camps, where political views appear cement-hardened into place, there are still those open to persuasion and even willing to change their minds. Mark Z. Barabak, Twin Cities, 15 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for persuasion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for persuasion
Noun
  • Rather than a single cause, astrology’s recent boom is more likely explained by a combination of factors: the decline of religion among younger generations, rising interest in alternative medicine, and increased accessibility of technology.
    Anna Haines, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025
  • An architectural layer cake of Uruk’s economy, religion, and scholarship, the Eanna district housed temples built alongside and on top of one another, beginning with the earliest monumental architecture of the fourth millennium BCE.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 26 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Those claims got a boost from another Supreme Court decision broadening protections for religious workers and expanding the requirements employers must meet to accommodate their beliefs.
    Jessica Guynn, USA Today, 22 Aug. 2025
  • This inclusion is a value most Americans embrace, regardless of political ideology or religious belief.
    Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 21 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Then, a second-quarter Wildcats field goal was set up by conversions on third-and-12 and third-and-nine – both through the air.
    Walter Villa, Miami Herald, 30 Aug. 2025
  • Sweeps Coins are redeemable at a conversion rate of 1:1.
    Daniel Wallach, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Austin Butler has played a Manson family killer, a COVID-era cult leader and the hip-shaking King of Rock ‘n’ Roll.
    Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2025
  • Eventually, the assorted good and bad actors converge on the premises of Mandy’s father, who is, of all things, a psychopathic religious cult leader.
    Peter Tonguette, The Washington Examiner, 22 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Grant did not provide an opinion on what may have caused Nguyen to crash.
    Noe Padilla, IndyStar, 25 Aug. 2025
  • Our mission with We Are Not Numbers (the NGO) was to create a new generation of Palestinian writers and thinkers, who could harness the power of their words to nonviolently resist their oppression and influence public opinion about the ongoing Israeli blockade of Gaza.
    Ahmed Dader August 25, Literary Hub, 25 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Three of the five players who got in at 64 was enough to wonder which cup was on their minds.
    Doug Ferguson, Baltimore Sun, 22 Aug. 2025
  • While enjoying a lunch of some of my favorite vegetables Barbara Rolls came to mind.
    Sheah Rarback, Miami Herald, 21 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • But the Trump administration said the judge did not have the authority to weigh in.
    Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 22 Aug. 2025
  • The Federal Reserve Act provides no authority for a Fed chair to remove another member of the Board of Governors.
    Ann Saphir, Freep.com, 22 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Her views on the war were under as much scrutiny as her tennis.
    Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2025
  • Caprio’s upbeat take on the job of a judge drew him millions of views.
    Jason Ma, Fortune, 23 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Persuasion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/persuasion. Accessed 3 Sep. 2025.

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