Definition of 'persuade'

Word Frequency

persuade

(pəʳsweɪd )

Word forms: 3rd person singular present tense persuades , present participle persuading , past tense, past participle persuaded

1. verb

If you persuade someone to do something, you cause them to do it by giving them good reasons for doing it.

My partner persuaded me to come. [VERB noun to-infinitive]

We're trying to persuade manufacturers to sell them here. [VERB noun to-infinitive]

They were eventually persuaded by the police to give themselves up. [VERB noun to-infinitive, be VERB-ed]

Synonyms: talk (someone) into, urge, advise, prompt More Synonyms of persuade

persuader Word forms: plural persuaders countable noun

All great persuaders and salesmen are the same.

2. verb

If something persuades someone to take a particular course of action, it causes them to take that course of action because it is a good reason for doing so.

The Conservative Party's victory in April's general election persuaded him to run for President again. [VERB noun to-infinitive]

It was the lack of privacy that eventually persuaded us to move after Ben was born. [VERB noun to-infinitive]

3. verb

If you persuade someone that something is true, you say things that eventually make them believe that it is true.

I've persuaded Mrs Tennant that it's time she retired. [VERB noun that]

We had managed to persuade them that it was worth working with us. [VERB noun that]

Derek persuaded me of the feasibility of the idea. [VERB noun + of]

Synonyms: convince, satisfy, assure, prove to More Synonyms of persuade

persuaded adjective [verb-link ADJECTIVE, ADJECTIVE that]

He is not persuaded of the need for electoral reform. [+ of]

I remain persuaded that the decisions we made last year were broadly right.

More Synonyms of persuade

Video: pronunciation of 'persuade'

Word Frequency

persuade in British

(pəˈsweɪd )

verb (tr; may take a clause as object or an infinitive)

to induce, urge, or prevail upon successfully

he finally persuaded them to buy it

to cause to believe; convince

even with the evidence, the police were not persuaded

Derived forms

persuadable (perˈsuadable) or persuasible (perˈsuasible)

adjective

persuadability (perˌsuadaˈbility) or persuasibility (perˌsuasiˈbility)

noun

persuader (perˈsuader)

noun

Word origin of 'persuade'

C16: from Latin persuādēre, from per- (intensive) + suādēre to urge, advise

Word Frequency

persuade in American

(pərˈsweɪd ; pərswādˈ)

verb transitiveWord forms: perˈsuaded or perˈsuading

to cause to do something by reasoning, urging, or inducement; prevail upon

to induce to believe something; convince

Derived forms

persuadable (perˈsuadable)

adjective or perˈsuasible (pərˈsweɪsəbəl ; pərswāˈsəbəl)

persuasibility (perˌsuasiˈbility)

noun

Word origin of 'persuade'

MFr persuader < L persuadere < per-, intens. + suadere, to urge: see suasion

Example sentences containing 'persuade'

These examples have been automatically selected and may contain sensitive content. Read more…

What would it take to persuade him to go? Times, Sunday Times (2016)But he has been persuaded to take questions on his feet and be subjected to a countdown timer. Times, Sunday Times (2016)Speedy might still take some persuading. Times, Sunday Times (2016)You will like what you see but those close to you may need persuading, so take things slowly. The Sun (2017)He was jailed yesterday at Southwark crown court along with two colleagues whom he had persuaded to take part in the fraud. Times, Sunday Times (2016)I persuaded Dad to buy me a racing helmet for my birthday. Times, Sunday Times (2016)We excused it as deafness and persuaded him to buy an expensive hearing aid (which he then refused to wear). Times, Sunday Times (2016)That was what finally persuaded him to return. The Sun (2008)The warriors have been persuaded to take wives who have not undergone the brutal cutting. Times, Sunday Times (2014)Our captain finally persuaded our spinner to bring up some fielders. Times, Sunday Times (2011)Only one thing will persuade her to take the role. Times, Sunday Times (2015)It is one that could be expanded if other nations could be persuaded to take part. Times, Sunday Times (2013)Some of his colleagues were less convinced and persuaded two of the three to try self control instead. Times, Sunday Times (2009)They could be persuaded to buy clothes and cosmetics and music and cigarettes and confectionery and junk food. Bethune, Helen Positive Parent Power (1991)Their object in public discourse is not merely to inform, but to persuade and convince. Harris, Marvin Cultural Anthropology (1995)You want potential backers to catch your enthusiasm, persuading them to buy you and your project. Kiam, Victor Going For It!: How to Succeed As an Entrepreneur (1986)Now qualified, has it been difficult to persuade others to take her seriously? Times, Sunday Times (2008)YOU might finally persuade your other half to sit down and watch that weepy romcom. The Sun (2013)I persuaded him to buy a guitar while he was down there. Times, Sunday Times (2010)He was also persuaded to buy hundreds of pounds of herbal supplements, some of which could have been dangerous. Times, Sunday Times (2013)There has been a conscious move away from organisations that design products and services first and then see if consumers can be persuaded to buy them. Times, Sunday Times (2009)You will win because you have more than enough brute force; but you will not convince because to convince means to persuade. Paul Preston The Spanish Civil War: Reaction, Revolution and RevengeI've been crazy about this woman and finally persuaded her to be my girlfriend. The Sun (2016)He speaks avidly of pain threshold, proud of his ability to dismiss and deny injuries that might persuade others to take a week off. Times, Sunday Times (2013)Perhaps that is why no amount of evidence will persuade us that the job of England manager is not all it is cracked up to be. Times, Sunday Times (2012)Equally, it's quite a struggle to persuade audiences to take the gamble. Times, Sunday Times (2007)This match may finally persuade him to unveil his first-choice side, provided he has settled on one. Times, Sunday Times (2015)They bullied and finally persuaded him against the possibility of retreat, but for indecisive days the Allies faced their first major defeat. Alan Whicker Whicker's WarBeachy Head might not always persuade or convince as drama, but its poetic rather than maudlin mood and questioning tone could stick with you. Times, Sunday Times (2011)