persuasion
puh-SWAYZHN
Persuasion (noun) means the act of convincing someone to do or believe something, usually through argument. Example: “It took some persuasion, but she finally agreed to come along.”
noun
1
The act of convincing someone to do or believe something, usually through argument.
"It took some persuasion, but she finally agreed to come along."
2
A firmly held belief, opinion, or set of views.
"It is his persuasion that abortion should never be condoned."
"People of every political persuasion attended the debate."
How to use persuasion
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither the act of convincing someone, or (more loosely) a person's beliefs or affiliation.
Common pairings
powers of persuasion
of every persuasion
gentle persuasion
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Word forms
- Plural
- persuasions
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
It took some _____, but she finally agreed to come along.
Etymology
From Latin persuasio, from persuadere ("to persuade") — see "persuade."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for persuasion
region
ablation
allusion
emulsion
ideation
novation
diffusion
elocution
extension
oxidation
perfusion
selection
See all rhymes for persuasion →
Frequently asked questions
What does “persuasion” mean?
The word “persuasion” means the act of convincing someone to do or believe something, usually through argument. In plain terms, either the act of convincing someone, or (more loosely) a person's beliefs or affiliation.
How do you pronounce “persuasion”?
“Persuasion” is pronounced puh-SWAYZHN (/pɚˈsweɪʒən/ in IPA).
How do you use “persuasion” in a sentence?
Here is “persuasion” used in a sentence: “It took some persuasion, but she finally agreed to come along.”
What is the opposite of “persuasion”?
The opposite of “persuasion” — its antonyms — is dissuasion.
What part of speech is “persuasion”?
“Persuasion” is a noun.
Where does the word “persuasion” come from?
The word “persuasion” comes from Latin. From Latin persuasio, from persuadere ("to persuade") — see "persuade.".
Is “persuasion” a common word?
“Persuasion” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “persuasion” have?
“Persuasion” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the act of convincing someone to do or believe something, usually through argument.
