1 blandish | Definition of blandish
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blandish

verb
blan·​dish | \ ˈblan-dish How to pronounce blandish (audio) \
blandished; blandishing; blandishes

Definition of blandish

transitive verb

: to coax with flattery : cajole

intransitive verb

: to act or speak in a flattering or coaxing manner
Other Words from blandish Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym Did You Know? Example Sentences Learn More about blandish

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Other Words from blandish

blandisher noun

Choose the Right Synonym for blandish

cajole, coax, soft-soap, blandish, wheedle mean to influence or persuade by pleasing words or actions. cajole suggests the deliberate use of flattery to persuade in the face of reluctance or reasonable objections. cajoled him into cheating on the final exam coax implies gentle and persistent words or actions employed to produce a desired effect. coaxed the cat out of the tree soft-soap refers to using smooth and somewhat insincere talk usually for personal gain. politicians soft-soaping eligible voters blandish implies a more open desire to win a person over by effusive praise and affectionate actions. legislators blandished with promises of support wheedle suggests more strongly than cajole the use of seductive appeal or artful words in persuading. hucksters wheedling her life's savings out of her

Did You Know?

The word blandish has been a part of the English language since at least the 14th century with virtually no change in its meaning. It ultimately derives from blandus, a Latin word meaning "mild" or "flattering." One of the earliest known uses of blandish can be found in the sacred writings of Richard Rolle de Hampole, an English hermit and mystic, who cautioned against "the dragon that blandishes with the head and smites with the tail." Although blandish might not exactly be suggestive of dullness, it was the "mild" sense of blandus that gave us our adjective bland, which has a lesser-known sense meaning "smooth and soothing in manner or quality."

Examples of blandish in a Sentence

blandished her into doing their work for them by complimenting her shamelessly

First Known Use of blandish

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

History and Etymology for blandish

Middle English, from Anglo-French blandiss-, stem of blandir, from Latin blandiri, from blandus mild, flattering

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More from Merriam-Webster on blandish

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with blandish

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for blandish

Britannica English: Translation of blandish for Arabic Speakers

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