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

Examples 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 Black voters deserve to be persuaded, and successful political persuasion requires a strong ground game and direct voter contact — something that campaigns over the last few decades have largely failed to do. Derrick Johnson, The Hill, 3 Dec. 2024 One message shined through this election season, regardless of political persuasion: Revitalizing American manufacturing is of vital importance to the economic health of the country. Ethan Karp, Forbes, 25 Nov. 2024 Recognizing The Challenges Unlike aggressive persuasion that requires immediate results, nudging is a subtle psychological tactic requiring a gradual approach for effective results. Harshit Jain, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024 Influence requires connection: the relationships and channels of communication through which persuasion and pressure can be exercised. Anne-Marie Slaughter, Foreign Affairs, 30 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for persuasion 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for persuasion
Noun
  • Randall Balmer, a religion professor at Dartmouth College, discusses why evangelical Christians turned away from social activism.
    Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 12 Dec. 2024
  • What most self-publishers seemed to want to do back then was share their own stories to prove a point about politics, law, or religion.
    Tim Brinkhof, JSTOR Daily, 11 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • Experience activism is rooted in the belief that what's best for people is what's best for the organization and, ultimately, for society as a whole.
    Sujay Saha, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024
  • Those intrepid few who still clung to the belief that American perfidy shielded Duke’s players from true justice just had the rug pulled out from under them by Mangum herself.
    The Editors, National Review, 17 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • The company blamed worsened consumer sentiment in China for driving further softening in overall prestige beauty in mainland China and low conversion rates in Asia travel retail and Hong Kong.
    Kathryn Hopkins, WWD, 16 Dec. 2024
  • Only an incomplete and potential game-winning 2-point conversion attempt by rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler to tight end Juwan Johnson eliminated cries of robbery from the visiting locker room.
    Ben Standig, The Athletic, 16 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • Featuring cult characters, Margeaux and Jules/Hazel (played by Patricia Black and Julie.
    Caroline Tell, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024
  • The brand has a cult following for its jeans, and the amount of variety offered in its denim categories is impressive.
    Kristen Bateman, Vogue, 11 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • Industry opinion formers like Goldman Sachs and Sequoia Capital have warned that widespread AI introduction is a lot further off than was anticipated, a viewpoint which has been leaped upon eagerly by C-suite executives out of their comfort zone.
    Hugo Farinha, Forbes, 10 Dec. 2024
  • Sort the reviews to read the stellar five-star opinions, or check out the one-star reviews to see what went wrong.
    Sarah Madaus, Architectural Digest, 9 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • Her husband, my grandfather, was not only a composer who wrote liturgical music, motets, symphonies, and string quartets but also a beloved music teacher who believed that music was as crucial to the development of the mind as math.
    Stephanie H. Murray, The Atlantic, 18 Dec. 2024
  • Even taking a brief walk can rejuvenate your mind and body.
    Allen Kopelman, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • As many questions remain unanswered in the investigation into why a 15-year-old girl allegedly opened fire at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin, killing a student and teacher, before apparently taking her own life, according to authorities.
    Nadine El-Bawab, ABC News, 18 Dec. 2024
  • Newsweek contacted a representative of Philadelphia's municipal authorities outside of normal working hours via email for comment.
    Dan Perry, Newsweek, 18 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • From La Minerva’s rooftop bar and restaurant, visitors can admire views of the domes of Sant’Ivo alla Sapienza and Saint Peter’s Basilica, the Altare Della Patria and the tower of the Quirinal.
    Julianna Bragg, CNN, 9 Dec. 2024
  • Coleman, who has more than 600,000 Instagram followers and several TikToks with over a million views, fancies himself as a bit of a travel influencer as well.
    DeMarco Williams, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near persuasion

Cite this Entry

“Persuasion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/persuasion. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

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