convince

present singular third person convinces · participle present convincing · participle past convinced · past convinced

1. To make someone believe, or feel sure about something, especially by using logic, argument or evidence.

   He convinced me I had talent, and persuaded me to study music.

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   I wouldn't have or do something, unless I'm convinced that it's good.

   Such convincing proofs and assurances of it as might enable them to convince others.

   1718, Francis Atterbury, sermon preached on Easter Day at Westminster Abbey

   Synonyms: assure, convert, convict, satisfy

2. To persuade.

   Synonyms: win over, bring round, convict, draw, gain over, persuade, pimp, prevail upon

3. obsoletetransitiveTo overcome, conquer, vanquish.

   […]his two Chamberlaines / Will I with Wine, and Waſſell, ſo conuince, / That Memorie, the Warder of the Braine, / Shall be a Fume,[…]

   c. 1606 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Macbeth”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act I, scene vii], page 135

   Synonyms: beat, bring down, chew up, eat someone for breakfast, eat someone's lunch, flog, humble, kick ass

4. actingTo behave believably in a role; to make someone perceive oneself as the character being portrayed.
5. obsoletetransitiveTo confute; to prove wrong.

   And therfore, God neuer wrought Miracle, to conuince Atheiſme, becauſe his Ordinary Works conuince it.

   1625, Francis [Bacon], “Of Atheisme. XVI.”, in The Essayes […], 3rd edition, London: […] Iohn Haviland for Hanna Barret, →OCLC, page 90

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   For hee mightily conuinced the Iewes, and that publikely, shewing by the scriptures, that Iesus was Christ.

   1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Acts 18:28

   Synonyms: debunk, disprove, rebut, refute

6. obsoletetransitiveTo prove guilty; to convict.

   Which of you conuinceth mee of ſinne?

   1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, John 8:46, column 1

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   O ſeek not to convince me of a Crime / Which I can ne'er repent, nor can you pardon.

   1681, John Dryden, The Spanish Fryar: Or, the Double Discovery. […], London: […] Richard Tonson and Jacob Tonson, […], →OCLC, Act II, page 18