pə(r)ˈswād verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Latin persuadēre, from per-, prefix denoting completion + suadēre to advise, urge — more at per- , suasion
transitive verb
1. : to induce by argument, entreaty, or expostulation into some mental position (as a determination, decision, conclusion, belief) : win over by an appeal to one's reason and feelings (as into doing or believing something) : bring (oneself or another) to belief, certainty, or conviction : argue into an opinion or procedure
he persuades his friend to study law
persuaded us that we were wrong
persuade yourself that you cannot fail
2. : to use persuasion upon : plead with : urge
even now at my elbow, persuading me not to kill the duke — Shakespeare
3. : to demonstrate or prove (something) to be true, credible, essential, commendable, or worthy (as of belief, adoption, practice) : bring about by argument and persuasion the doing, practicing, or believing of
hadst thou thy wits, and didst persuade revenge — Shakespeare
4. : to obtain or get with difficulty (as by coaxing)
finally persuaded an answer out of him
intransitive verb
1. : to use or to prevail by persuasion : plead movingly or successfully — sometimes formerly used with with
2. : to become persuaded
he persuades easily
Synonyms: see induce