persuade
24 synonyms and 5 antonyms for persuade, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To get someone to agree to or do something by giving reasons or arguments.
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.
Antonyms
How to use persuade
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Latin persuadere, "to persuade" — built from per- ("thoroughly") and suadere ("to advise, urge"), the same root behind "suave" and "dissuade."
Full origin of persuade →Frequently asked questions
What does “persuade” mean?
The word “persuade” means to get someone to agree to or do something by giving reasons or arguments. In plain terms, to talk someone into doing or believing something.
How do you pronounce “persuade”?
“Persuade” is pronounced puh-SWAYD (/pə(ɹ)ˈsweɪd/ in IPA).
How do you use “persuade” in a sentence?
Here is “persuade” used in a sentence: “It took twenty minutes to persuade her to try the food.”
What is another word for “persuade”?
Words with a similar meaning to “persuade” include argue, get, sway, talk into, bring round and convict.
What is the opposite of “persuade”?
The opposite of “persuade” — its antonyms — are deter, dissuade, mispersuade, unconvince and unpersuade.
What part of speech is “persuade”?
“Persuade” is a verb.
Where does the word “persuade” come from?
The word “persuade” comes from Latin. From Latin persuadere, "to persuade" — built from per- ("thoroughly") and suadere ("to advise, urge"), the same root behind "suave" and "dissuade.".
Is “persuade” a common word?
“Persuade” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between persuade and convince?
Persuade and convince are closely related, and "convince" even appears among persuade's own synonyms, but there is a subtle difference in traditional usage. Persuade often implies moving someone to a specific action through reasons or arguments, while convince more narrowly means making someone believe that something is true.
What is the difference between persuade and force?
Persuade means getting someone to agree to or do something by offering reasons or arguments, so the other person still makes their own choice. Force, by contrast, compels action without giving the person a genuine choice, which is not part of what persuade means.
Can you persuade someone without giving reasons?
Not in the core sense of the word. To persuade specifically means to get someone to agree or act by giving reasons or arguments, or to convince them something is true, so genuine persuasion relies on some form of reasoning rather than pressure alone.