persuade

present singular third person persuades · participle present persuading · participle past persuaded · past persuaded · alternative perswade

1. transitiveTo successfully convince (someone) to agree to, accept, or do something, usually through reasoning and verbal influence.First known use 15th c.

   That salesman was able to persuade me into buying this bottle of lotion.

   4 more examples

   [VV]e are able with playne demonſtration to proue, and vvith reaſon to perſvvade that in tymes paſt our fayth vvas alike, that then vve preached thinges correſpondent vnto the forme of faith already published of vs, ſo that none in this behalfe can repyne or gaynesay vs.

   1577, Socrates Scholasticus [i.e., Socrates of Constantinople], “Constantinus the Emperour Summoneth the Nicene Councell, it was Held at Nicæa a Citie of Bythnia for the Debatinge of the Controuersie about the Feast of Easter, and the Rootinge out of the Heresie of Arius”, in Eusebius Pamphilus, Socrates Scholasticus, Evagrius Scholasticus, Dorotheus, translated by Meredith Hanmer, The Avncient Ecclesiasticall Histories of the First Six Hundred Yeares after Christ, Wrytten in the Greeke Tongue by Three Learned Historiographers, Eusebius, Socrates, and Euagrius. …, book I (The First Booke of the Ecclesiasticall Historye of Socrates Scholasticvs), imprinted at London: By Thomas Vautroullier dwelling in the Blackefriers by Ludgate, →OCLC, page 225

   We will persuade him, be it possible.

   c. 1590–1592 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Taming of the Shrew”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act III, scene ii]

   The boy became volubly friendly and bubbling over with unexpected humour and high spirits. He tried to persuade Cicely to stay away from the ball-room for a fourth dance. Nobody would miss them, he explained.

   1909 September 9, Archibald Marshall [pseudonym; Arthur Hammond Marshall], chapter I, in The Squire’s Daughter, London: Methuen & Co. […], →OCLC

   The most persistent tormentor was Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who scored a hat-trick in last month’s corresponding fixture in Iceland. His ability to run at defences is instantly striking, but it is his clever use of possession that has persuaded some shrewd judges that he is an even better prospect than Theo Walcott.

   2011 November 10, Jeremy Wilson, “England Under 21 5 Iceland Under 21 0: match report”, in Telegraph

   Synonyms: convince, draw, coax, wheedle · Antonyms: deter, dissuade

2. obsoletetransitiveTo convince of by argument, or by reasons offered or suggested from reflection, etc.; to cause to believe (something).First known use 15th–18th c.

   But beloued, wee are perswaded better things of you, and things that accompany saluation, though we thus speake.

   1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Hebrews 6:9

3. archaicregionaltransitiveTo urge, plead; to try to convince (someone to do something).First known use 16th c.

   He persuaded me to go home, but I refused.

   1834, David Crockett, A Narrative of the Life of, Nebraska, published 1987, page 34

   3 more examples

   […] and hearken not vnto Hezekiah, when hee perswadeth you, saying, The Lord will deliuer vs.

   1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, 2 Kings 18:32

   She did not go into the coffee-room, though repeatedly persuaded by Miss Woodley, but waited at the door till her carriage drew up.

   1791, Elizabeth Inchbald, A Simple Story, Oxford 2009 edition, page 119

   He did not persuade me long before I consented.

   1861, E. J. Guerin, Mountain Charley, page 12