wheedling 1 of 2

noun

Definition of wheedlingnext
as in coaxing

Synonyms & Similar Words

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wheedling

2 of 2

verb

present participle of wheedle
as in cajoling
to get (someone) to do something by gentle urging, special attention, or flattery wheedled him into doing their work for them

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Examples Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for wheedling
  1. coaxing
  2. entreaty
  3. exhortation
  4. inducement
  5. blandishment
  6. suasion
Verb
  • Tech companies are slowly but surely coaxing filmmakers into tinkering with their AI tools.
    Brian Welk, IndieWire, 17 Oct. 2024
  • Like most gifted writers and producers who are better at helping others realize their vision than coaxing out one of their own, Finneas’ solo work comes off more like a killer job application than an argument for a unique artistic perspective.
    Jon Dolan, Rolling Stone, 3 Oct. 2024
Definition of coaxing
Noun
  • Otherwise, do your best to ignore their entreaties and build your life with your husband based on your plans, not their projections.
    Harriette Cole, The Mercury News, 23 Nov. 2024
  • This is especially concerning because decades of research have shown that people are often more influenced by stories than by explicit arguments and entreaties.
    Haoran Chu, Discover Magazine, 1 Nov. 2024
Definition of entreaty
Noun
  • Despite the exhortations, no model scored above 2% on the test.
    ByZack Savitsky, science.org, 3 Dec. 2024
  • The most notable exhortation came from House Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), the New York Times first reported and sources confirmed to Axios.
    Andrew Solender, Axios, 1 Dec. 2024
Definition of exhortation
Noun
  • That complaint repeated many of her initial claims, while also accusing the producers of breach of contract, false imprisonment, fraudulent inducement, and inflection of emotional distress.
    Ethan Millman, Rolling Stone, 22 Nov. 2024
  • In theory, this would root out pay-for-play inducements.
    Justin Williams, The Athletic, 1 Aug. 2024
Definition of inducement
Noun
  • Impressed by the senator’s blandishments, the egoistic journalist argues military strategy and then faces a moment of conscience.
    Armond White, National Review, 17 May 2023
  • People want to hear blandishments about engagement and infrastructure.
    Rory Smith, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2023
Definition of blandishment
Noun
  • All presidents have used leverage, often combined with moral suasion, personal relationships, public appeals, and other efforts, to attain their objectives in international affairs.
    Richard Fontaine, Foreign Affairs, 5 Oct. 2020
  • Moral suasion can be even more powerful than policy.
    Arthur C. Brooks, Foreign Affairs, 13 Feb. 2017
Definition of suasion
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.

Thesaurus Entries Near wheedling

wheedles

wheedling

wheel

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Cite this Entry

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

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More from Merriam-Webster on wheedling

Nglish: Translation of wheedling for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of wheedling for Arabic Speakers

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