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persuasion

noun
per·​sua·​sion | \ pər-ˈswā-zhən How to pronounce persuasion (audio) \

Definition of persuasion

1a : the act or process or an instance of persuading
b : a persuading argument
c : the ability to persuade : persuasiveness
2 : the condition of being persuaded
3a : an opinion held with complete assurance
b : a system of religious beliefs also : a group adhering to a particular system of beliefs
4 : kind, sort
Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym Example Sentences Learn More about persuasion

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Choose the Right Synonym for persuasion

opinion, view, belief, conviction, persuasion, sentiment mean a judgment one holds as true. opinion implies a conclusion thought out yet open to dispute. each expert seemed to have a different opinion view suggests a subjective opinion. very assertive in stating his views belief implies often deliberate acceptance and intellectual assent. a firm belief in her party's platform conviction applies to a firmly and seriously held belief. the conviction that animal life is as sacred as human persuasion suggests a belief grounded on assurance (as by evidence) of its truth. was of the persuasion that everything changes sentiment suggests a settled opinion reflective of one's feelings. her feminist sentiments are well-known

Examples of persuasion in a Sentence

It would take a lot of persuasion to get him to agree to such an offer. Most kids don't need much persuasion to use computers. people of all different persuasions
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Recent Examples on the Web

 Fifty years after the Tate and LaBianca murders, and nearly two years after his own death at the age of 83, Hollywood is still enamored with the notion of Manson as an enigmatic, somewhat groovy villain with otherworldly powers of persuasion. — Lorraine Ali, chicagotribune.com, "Commentary: Charles Manson was a white supremacist. Why can’t pop culture seem to admit it?," 20 Aug. 2019 Public-health officials have seized on this one as an occasion both to reach out to the hesitant and to reconsider their tactics of persuasion: the dreary work of winning hearts and minds. — Nick Paumgarten, The New Yorker, "The Message of Measles," 26 Aug. 2019 Fifty years after the Tate and LaBianca murders, and nearly two years after his own death at the age of 83, Hollywood is still enamored with the notion of Manson as an enigmatic, somewhat groovy villain with otherworldly powers of persuasion. — Lorraine Ali, chicagotribune.com, "Commentary: Charles Manson was a white supremacist. Why can’t pop culture seem to admit it?," 20 Aug. 2019 Fifty years after the Tate and LaBianca murders, and nearly two years after his own death at the age of 83, Hollywood is still enamored with the notion of Manson as an enigmatic, somewhat groovy villain with otherworldly powers of persuasion. — Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, "Commentary: Charles Manson was a white supremacist. Why can’t pop culture seem to admit it?," 19 Aug. 2019 The long-term mantra: Registration, persuasion, and turnout. — John Fritze, USA TODAY, "'We're off and running': A look at Donald Trump's un-Trumpian campaign for reelection in 2020," 15 June 2019 This is good news by all, whatever political persuasion. — Ephrat Livni, Quartz, "The latest US Supreme Court rulings are blowing up pundits’ predictions," 15 June 2019 The heart of the Spotlight team is Rezendes, a middle-aged reporter with a bowl haircut, and with no use for elites of any persuasion. — Alexander Nazaryan, Newsweek, "Review: 'Spotlight' Explores the Sins of the Fathers," 8 Oct. 2015 Thankfully, her powers of persuasion are well honed. — Samantha Swenson, ELLE Decor, "This Apartment by Nicole Fuller Will Make You Want to Cover Your Walls in Lacquered Panels," 19 July 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'persuasion.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of persuasion

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

History and Etymology for persuasion

Middle English persuasioun, from Middle French or Latin; Middle French persuasion, from Latin persuasion-, persuasio, from persuadēre

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More Definitions for persuasion

persuasion

noun
How to pronounce persuasion (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of persuasion

: the act of causing people to do or believe something : the act or activity of persuading people
formal : a particular type of belief or way of thinking

See the full definition for persuasion in the English Language Learners Dictionary

persuasion

noun
per·​sua·​sion | \ pər-ˈswā-zhən How to pronounce persuasion (audio) \

Kids Definition of persuasion

1 : the act of convincing
2 : the power to convince
3 : a way of believing : belief He and his wife are of the same persuasion.

persuasion

noun
per·​sua·​sion | \ pər-ˈswā-zhən How to pronounce persuasion (audio) \

Medical Definition of persuasion

: a method of treating neuroses consisting essentially in rational conversation and reeducation

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More from Merriam-Webster on persuasion

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with persuasion

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for persuasion

Spanish Central: Translation of persuasion

Nglish: Translation of persuasion for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of persuasion for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about persuasion

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