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noun B2 Upper-Intermediate Uncommon

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.
"People of every political persuasion attended the debate."

How to use persuasion

Learner’s notes

In 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

Word forms

persuasions plural

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Test yourself on “persuasion” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

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."

Origin: Latin

Related words

Rhymes for persuasion

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.

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial