as in convincing
the act of reasoning or pleading with someone to accept a belief or course of action
no amount of persuading could make her change her mind
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
as in satisfying
to cause (someone) to agree with a belief or course of action by using arguments or earnest request
she persuaded us that she can indeed communicate with the dead he persuaded his teachers to grant an extension
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of persuading
Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 9 Aug. 2025
In the framework of conversational intelligence, most workplace communication falls into Level 1 (telling) or Level 2 (persuading).
—Susan Curtin, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2025
Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2025
Despite a recent plan to overhaul California’s strict insurance regulations in hopes of persuading carriers to expand coverage in fire-risk areas, many homeowners have yet to see any immediate changes.
—Ethan Varian, Mercury News, 18 Oct. 2025
This misrepresentation appears to have been a central element in persuading Craig Lampley to agree to transfer ownership.
—Daniel Bice, jsonline.com, 17 Oct. 2025
For other programs in recent years, previous relationships have proven critical as coaches like Indiana’s Curt Cignetti (hired from James Madison) and Washington’s Jedd Fisch (Arizona) were able to jump-start their rebuilds by persuading several of their key players to make the move with them.
—The Athletic Colleges Staff, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
He’s been accused of persuading people to invest their life savings in his real estate opportunities and promising six-figure returns, only to take the profits for himself.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 8 Oct. 2025
Born in a small village in 1909, or perhaps 1912, the son of a goldsmith and his senior wife, Nkrumah was quiet but charismatic—good at schoolwork, even better at persuading people to believe in him.
—Kelefa Sanneh, New Yorker, 6 Oct. 2025
Sponsorship organizations seek donations by persuading people and groups that have, to lend financial support those who don’t have or have far less.
—Kansas City Star, 30 Sep. 2025
Other charges dismissed as part of an April plea agreement included two counts of persuading or coercing a minor to engage in prostitution.
—Nick Ferraro, Twin Cities, 25 Sep. 2025
Noun
But Putin cannot have needed much persuading to agree to a formal invitation to the US to have the bilateral meeting his team have long held out as the way towards peace in Ukraine.
—Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 9 Aug. 2025
In the framework of conversational intelligence, most workplace communication falls into Level 1 (telling) or Level 2 (persuading).
—Susan Curtin, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2025
Verb
That could help with a key goal of the new transit line — persuading people who commute by car to give a more comfortable bus experience a try.
—Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2025
Despite a recent plan to overhaul California’s strict insurance regulations in hopes of persuading carriers to expand coverage in fire-risk areas, many homeowners have yet to see any immediate changes.
—Ethan Varian, Mercury News, 18 Oct. 2025
This misrepresentation appears to have been a central element in persuading Craig Lampley to agree to transfer ownership.
—Daniel Bice, jsonline.com, 17 Oct. 2025
For other programs in recent years, previous relationships have proven critical as coaches like Indiana’s Curt Cignetti (hired from James Madison) and Washington’s Jedd Fisch (Arizona) were able to jump-start their rebuilds by persuading several of their key players to make the move with them.
—The Athletic Colleges Staff, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
He’s been accused of persuading people to invest their life savings in his real estate opportunities and promising six-figure returns, only to take the profits for himself.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 8 Oct. 2025
Born in a small village in 1909, or perhaps 1912, the son of a goldsmith and his senior wife, Nkrumah was quiet but charismatic—good at schoolwork, even better at persuading people to believe in him.
—Kelefa Sanneh, New Yorker, 6 Oct. 2025
Sponsorship organizations seek donations by persuading people and groups that have, to lend financial support those who don’t have or have far less.
—Kansas City Star, 30 Sep. 2025
Other charges dismissed as part of an April plea agreement included two counts of persuading or coercing a minor to engage in prostitution.
—Nick Ferraro, Twin Cities, 25 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for persuading
Verb
-
As Hollywood has grown more outspoken in recent months about the situation in the Middle East, the challenges of convincing its distributors — the lifelines that can take movies from obscurity to national recognition — remain.—
Rebecca Keegan,
NBC news,
23 Oct. 2025
-
After convincing The Great Hands and Tasha Steelz to join the faction, Ali eventually added Special Agent Zero to Order 4.—
Fernando Quiles Jr,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Marcus Mariota threw an interception that bounced off Deebo Samuel’s hands, and Washington came up short on two fourth-down conversions.—
Cole Sullivan,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 Oct. 2025
-
This night train to the slopes is an all-inclusive package, including transport, transfers, accommodation, and ski pass, with the option to rent gear (starting at 1,256 euros, or approximately $1,461 per person, based on current conversion rates).—
Sophie Friedman,
AFAR Media,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
There's something satisfying about cleaning windows and getting a streak-free finish.—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
24 Oct. 2025
-
There’s something satisfying about the victim-less crime.—
Brittany Allen,
Literary Hub,
23 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
When the bidding for tickets and a hotel stay for a Manchester City–Liverpool game starts slow, Vonn ups the ante with her powers of persuasion.—
Sean Gregory,
Time,
27 Oct. 2025
-
Every American, regardless of race, gender or religious persuasion, should have the opportunity to realize their natural potential via education.—
DP Opinion,
Denver Post,
23 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Persuading.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/persuading. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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