persuade
persuade Lexical Profile
persuade Game Scores & Validity
• verb
To cause someone to do something through reasoning, argument, or earnest appeal.
"The committee worked hard to persuade the city council to fund the new public library."
To cause someone to believe or feel certain about the truth of something.
"The new archaeological evidence finally persuaded historians that the settlement was much older than previously thought."
Word Nuance & Usage
In formal usage, 'persuade' typically refers to moving someone to act through argument or appeal (often followed by 'to' plus an infinitive), whereas 'convince' refers to changing someone's belief or certainty (often followed by 'of' or a 'that' clause).
• Rhymes for persuade
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the late 15th century from Middle French persuader or directly from Latin persuadere ('to bring over by talking'), composed of per- ('thoroughly') and suadere ('to advise or urge'), which is cognate with the English word 'sweet'.