persuade

verb

per·​suade pər-ˈswād How to pronounce persuade (audio)
persuaded; persuading

transitive verb

1
: to move by argument, entreaty, or expostulation to a belief, position, or course of action
2
: to plead with : urge
persuader noun

Examples of persuade in a Sentence

He persuaded his friend to go back to school. She couldn't be persuaded to go. He would not let himself be persuaded into buying the more expensive stereo. I am not easily persuaded. They persuaded us that we were wrong. He persuaded himself that he had made the right choice.
Recent Examples on the Web House lawmakers making impassioned arguments for shutting down TikTok last week overwhelmingly persuaded their fellow representatives, but repeated many claims that are false, unproven or disputed. Taylor Lorenz, Washington Post, 16 Mar. 2024 Analysts with Keefe, Bruyette & Woods also anticipate that the association rule changes will lead to lower agent commissions and could persuade some homebuyers to skip using an agent altogether. Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 16 Mar. 2024 In a bit referencing the streaker who stormed the stage at the 46th ceremony, host Jimmy Kimmel persuaded Cena to bare it all. Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 11 Mar. 2024 Say no to those trying to persuade you to be a follower. Eugenia Last, The Mercury News, 9 Mar. 2024 More recently, the U.K. government persuaded gum manufacturers to pay for a street-cleaning program to help remove gum and gum stains. By dee-Ann Durbin, Quartz, 7 Mar. 2024 Rita Moreno is crediting the late Marlon Brando with persuading her to go to therapy. Jen Juneau, Peoplemag, 7 Mar. 2024 Those are the type of appeals that his supporters hope – and opponents of a pardon fear – will persuade Parson to act. Jonathan Shorman, Kansas City Star, 7 Mar. 2024 Prime Minister Han Duck-soo on Sunday urged senior doctors to persuade the striking junior doctors to return to work. Hyung-Jin Kim, Quartz, 4 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'persuade.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Latin persuadēre, from per- thoroughly + suadēre to advise, urge — more at sweet

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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

Dictionary Entries Near persuade

Cite this Entry

“Persuade.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/persuade. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

persuade

verb
per·​suade pər-ˈswād How to pronounce persuade (audio)
persuaded; persuading
: to win over to a belief or to a course of action by argument or earnest request
persuadable
-ˈswād-ə-bəl
adjective
persuader noun

More from Merriam-Webster on persuade

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!