convince
7 synonyms for convince, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To make someone believe something, usually through reasoning or evidence.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
win over
How to use convince
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
convince someone of
hard to convince
Etymology
From Latin convincere, "to prove, to demonstrate conclusively" — from con- + vincere ("to conquer").
Full origin of convince →Frequently asked questions
What does “convince” mean?
The word “convince” means to make someone believe something, usually through reasoning or evidence. In plain terms, to get someone to believe or agree to something by giving them good reasons.
How do you pronounce “convince”?
“Convince” is pronounced kuhn-VIHNS (/kənˈvɪns/ in IPA).
How do you use “convince” in a sentence?
Here is “convince” used in a sentence: “It took a while, but she finally convinced him to see a doctor.”
What part of speech is “convince”?
“Convince” is a verb.
Where does the word “convince” come from?
The word “convince” comes from Latin. From Latin convincere, "to prove, to demonstrate conclusively" — from con- + vincere ("to conquer").
Is “convince” a common word?
“Convince” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between 'convince' and 'persuade'?
'Convince' focuses on making someone believe something is true, usually through reasoning or evidence. 'Persuade' focuses on moving someone to take action. You might convince a friend that a film is good, then persuade them to come and watch it.
Is it 'convince to' or 'convince of'?
In careful usage, 'convince' pairs with 'of' or 'that,' as in 'convince him of the risk' or 'convince him that it is risky.' 'Persuade' is the verb traditionally used with 'to,' as in 'persuade him to leave.' In everyday speech, however, 'convince someone to do something' is now widely heard.
What is the difference between 'convince' and 'assure'?
'Convince' means to make someone genuinely believe something, usually by giving reasons or evidence. 'Assure' means to tell someone confidently that something is true in order to remove their doubt or worry, without necessarily proving it. You convince through argument, but you assure through reassurance.
