persuade

verb

pur-SWAYD/pə(ɹ)ˈsweɪd/UKpuh-SWAYD/pəˈsweɪd/

Formspersuades, persuading, persuaded

3 meanings of persuade

1
verbtransitive
To get someone to agree to do something by giving them good reasons.
Like talking a friend into joining a game until they finally say yes.
She managed to persuade her parents to let her go to camp.
I couldn't persuade him to change his mind.
Similarconvince, coax, wheedle
Oppositedissuade, deter
Note
2
verbarchaictransitive
To urge or beg someone to do something, trying hard to convince them.
Like begging a friend over and over to come to your party.
They would persuade him to stay, but he always went his own way.
He persuaded me to go home, but I refused.
1834, David Crockett, A Narrative of the Life ofHere, persuaded means urged or pleaded with me to go.
Note
3
verbobsoletetransitive
To make someone believe that something is true by giving reasons.
Like showing someone proof until they finally believe you.
The lawyer's words persuaded the judge of his honesty.
But beloued, wee are perswaded better things of you, and things that accompany saluation, though we thus speake.
1611, The Holy Bible, King James VersionHere, perswaded means convinced or led to believe.
Note

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Origin

From the Latin word persuādeō, meaning "I persuade."