persuasive
puh-SWAY-sihv
Persuasive (adjective) means Able to convince people; making a strong, convincing case. Example: “She gave a persuasive argument for why the deadline should be extended.”
adjective
1
Able to convince people; making a strong, convincing case.
"She gave a persuasive argument for why the deadline should be extended."
"His persuasive manner won over even the skeptics in the room."
"But I'm pretty persuasive, and I've learned how elected officials think. I know how to press their buttons."
— Andy Byford talks to Paul Clifton, I enjoy really big challenges (2020)
How to use persuasive
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishGood at convincing people — describes an argument, speaker, or piece of writing.
Common pairings
a persuasive argument
highly persuasive
persuasive evidence
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Word forms
- Plural
- persuasives
- Comparative
- more persuasive
- Superlative
- most persuasive
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She gave a _____ argument for why the deadline should be extended.
Etymology
From Latin persuadere ("to persuade") plus the adjective ending -ive.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
dissuasive
Related words
Rhymes for persuasive
See all rhymes for persuasive →Frequently asked questions
What does “persuasive” mean?
The word “persuasive” means able to convince people; making a strong, convincing case. In plain terms, good at convincing people — describes an argument, speaker, or piece of writing.
How do you pronounce “persuasive”?
“Persuasive” is pronounced puh-SWAY-sihv (/pə(ɹ)ˈsweɪsɪv/ in IPA).
How do you use “persuasive” in a sentence?
Here is “persuasive” used in a sentence: “She gave a persuasive argument for why the deadline should be extended.”
What part of speech is “persuasive”?
“Persuasive” is an adjective.
Where does the word “persuasive” come from?
The word “persuasive” comes from Latin. From Latin persuadere ("to persuade") plus the adjective ending -ive.
Is “persuasive” a common word?
“Persuasive” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
