INDEX:
1. to persuade someone to do something
2. to gently persuade someone to do something
3. to try hard to persuade someone
4. to persuade someone that something is true, right, or good
5. the use of film, newspapers etc to persuade people
6. reasons, explanations etc that persuade you to believe something
7. to persuade someone by making something seem very good
8. something good that is used to persuade someone
9. good at persuading people
10. too easily persuaded by other people
11. to persuade someone not to do something
12. something that persuades someone not to do something
RELATED WORDS
see also
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1. to persuade someone to do something
▷ persuade /pəʳˈsweɪd/ [transitive verb]
to make someone agree to do something, by giving them reasons why they should do it :
▪ Neil didn’t want to come at first, but we persuaded him.
persuade somebody to do something
▪ I tried to persuade his ex-girlfriend to talk to him, but she said no.
▪ Teachers need ways to persuade more parents to attend parent-teacher evenings.
persuade (that)
▪ He was convicted of the murder, but he is still trying to persuade the public that he’s innocent.
▷ persuasion /pəʳˈsweɪʒ ə n/ [uncountable noun]
things that you say in order to persuade someone to do something :
▪ They hope to end the conflict using persuasion rather than threats.
persuasion to
▪ The Republican leader used every means of persuasion to get senators to vote against the bill.
take persuasion
▪ It took a lot of persuasion to get Dad to agree to the idea.
gentle/friendly persuasion
persuading someone without using threats
▪ Until the law was passed, the agency could only use gentle persuasion to get industries to reduce waste.
powers of persuasion
skills used for persuading
▪ The fate of the bill in Congress will depend on Brady’s powers of persuasion.
▷ get somebody to do something /ˌget somebody tə ˈduː something/ [verb phrase] informal
to make someone do what you want them to do, especially by trying to persuade them over a long time :
▪ I’m sure I can get Eddie to do it.
▪ My girlfriend is always trying to get me to stop smoking.
▪ Parents learn ways to talk to and carry a baby to get it to stop crying.
▷ influence /ˈɪnfluəns/ [transitive verb]
to affect what someone decides to do, but without directly persuading them :
▪ I hope you weren’t influenced by anything that your brother said.
▪ Do TV programs influence children’s behaviour?
▪ Judges should not be influenced by political motives.
▷ encourage /ɪnˈkʌrɪdʒǁɪnˈkɜːr-/ [transitive verb]
to try to persuade someone to do something, because you think it will be good for them :
encourage somebody to do something
▪ Her parents encouraged her to cook and even paid her to make dinner twice a week.
▪ Patricia encouraged me to apply for the job.
▪ We want to encourage more children to use the library.
▷ talk somebody into /ˌtɔːk somebody ˈɪntuː/ [transitive phrasal verb] informal
to persuade someone to do something that they do not want to do :
talk sb into doing something
▪ I managed to talk them into paying me more money.
▪ Officers said they tried to talk Wilson into leaving the bar, but he started to struggle.
talk somebody into it
▪ I didn’t really want to go to the party, but Dave talked me into it.
▷ put somebody up to /ˌpʊt somebody ˈʌp tuː/ [transitive phrasal verb]
to persuade someone to do something wrong or stupid, especially when they would not have thought of doing it themselves :
▪ We want to know why they did it and if anyone put them up to it.
▪ Did someone put you up to this?
2. to gently persuade someone to do something
▷ get round British /get around American /ˌget ˈraʊnd, ˌget əˈraʊnd/ [transitive phrasal verb not in progressive or passive]
to persuade someone to do something that you want them to do by being very nice to them, making them laugh etc :
▪ I managed to get round him by saying he could borrow my car on Saturday.
▪ She can always manage to get around her dad.
▷ coax /kəʊks/ [transitive verb]
to persuade someone to do something that they do not want to do by talking to them gently for a long time until they agree to do it :
▪ ‘Oh come on, Vic,’ she coaxed, ‘We need you, don’t let us down.’
coax somebody to do something
▪ The U.S. is trying to coax both sides to take part in talks.
coax somebody into doing something
▪ The children had to be coaxed into coming with us.
▷ sweet-talk /ˈswiːt tɔːk/ [transitive verb] informal
to say nice things to someone, especially things that are not true, in order to persuade them to do something for you :
▪ You can sweet-talk me all night long, but I’m not going home with you!
sweet-talk somebody into doing something
▪ She sweet-talked him into lending her the money.
▷ cajole /kəˈdʒəʊl/ [intransitive/transitive verb]
to persuade someone to do something that they do not want to do by being nice to them, praising them etc until they agree to do it :
▪ Ed cajoled and pleaded, but couldn’t get her to change her mind.
cajole somebody into doing something
▪ She cajoles the kids into doing their best.
cajole somebody to do something
▪ He managed to cajole Hayden to take part in the program.
3. to try hard to persuade someone
▷ put pressure on also pressure American /pʊt ˈpreʃər ɒn, ˈpreʃəʳ/ [verb phrase/transitive verb]
to keep trying to persuade someone to do something by using threats or unfair influence :
▪ Threats of dismissal were intended to put pressure on the strikers.
▪ Some of the girls started having sex mainly because their boyfriends were pressuring them.
put pressure on somebody to do something
▪ Her parents put pressure on her and her boyfriend to get married.
pressure somebody to do something
▪ Residents are pressuring the mayor to let them manage their own housing association.
▷ lean on /ˈliːn ɒn/ [transitive phrasal verb] informal
to use threats or influence to persuade someone to do something :
▪ If the US wants to get South American governments to lean on drug growers, it’ll have to be prepared to offer something in return.
lean on somebody to do something
▪ New members have been leaning on Senate leaders to make some changes.
▷ twist somebody’s arm /ˌtwɪst somebodyˈs ˈɑːʳm/ [verb phrase] informal
to persuade someone to do something they have said they do not want to do - use this humorously when the person will really enjoy what you have persuaded them to do :
▪ I’m sure he would never have come if I hadn’t twisted his arm a little.
▪ ‘Go on, have another drink.’ ‘Oh well, if you twist my arm.’
4. to persuade someone that something is true, right, or good
▷ convince /kənˈvɪns/ [transitive verb]
to make someone feel completely sure that something is true or right, especially when they doubted it before :
▪ I knew it would be hard to convince my father, because he wanted me to go to university.
convince somebody (that)
▪ The government is trying to convince the public that it’s getting tough on corruption.
convince somebody of something
▪ In the end she convinced the jury of her innocence.
▷ persuade /pəʳˈsweɪd/ [transitive verb]
to make someone believe that something is true or right, especially when they doubted it before :
persuade somebody (that)
▪ He eventually managed to persuade me that the documents were genuine.
▪ After this accident, it will be difficult for the government to persuade people that nuclear power stations are safe.
persuade somebody of something
▪ We want to persuade them of the value of diplomacy and talks to resolve disputes.
▷ satisfy /ˈsætɪsfaɪ, ˈsætəsfaɪ/ [transitive verb]
to give enough information to make someone in authority believe that something is true :
▪ Her explanation failed to satisfy the jury.
satisfy somebody (that)
▪ Applicants will have to satisfy the committee that they are suitable for the job.
be satisfied with/that
accept something as true
▪ The police said that they were satisfied with his story and let him go free.
▷ win somebody over /ˌwɪn somebody ˈəʊvəʳ/ [transitive phrasal verb]
to persuade someone to support your ideas or opinions, by making them believe that you are right, or by being nice to them :
▪ He could not be won over by bribes or promises.
win somebody over/win over somebody
▪ Cochran’s arguments won over the jury.
win sb over to
▪ Doctors who saw her work were quickly won over to her methods.
▷ bring/talk somebody round British /bring somebody around American /ˌbrɪŋ, ˌtɔːk somebody ˈraʊnd, ˌbrɪŋ somebody əˈraʊnd/ [transitive phrasal verb]
to persuade someone to change their opinion so that they agree with you, especially by spending a long time talking to them and giving them reasons why you are right :
▪ At first my parents didn’t like the idea, but I think I’ve managed to bring them round.
▪ I’ll have to talk my mother round, but I’m sure she’ll say yes.
bring/talk sb round to
▪ In the end I brought him around to my point of view.
▷ convert /kənˈvɜːʳt/ [transitive verb]
to change someone’s opinion or beliefs about something, so that they begin to like it or believe it is right :
▪ I didn’t use to like Indian food, but Cathy’s converted me.
convert somebody to something
▪ Concerns about cruel farming methods converted her to vegetarianism.
▷ win hearts and minds /wɪn ˌhɑːʳts ən ˈmaɪndz/ [verb phrase]
to persuade a lot of people or most people to support what you are doing and believe that it is right - used especially in political contexts :
▪ It’s no use giving people short term sweeteners - what we have to do is to go out there and win hearts and minds.
▪ If they succeed in winning the hearts and minds of the ethnic minorities here, they should sweep into power at the next election.
5. the use of film, newspapers etc to persuade people
▷ propaganda /ˌprɒpəˈgændəǁˌprɑː-/ [uncountable noun]
the clever use of newspapers, film, television etc in order to persuade the public to accept particular political ideas, often by giving incomplete or false information :
▪ I object when political propaganda is pushed through my letter box at election times.
▷ spin /spɪn/ [uncountable noun]
when someone, especially a government, political party etc, gives information in a way that is intended to persuade people that they, their ideas, their plans etc are good :
▪ What we would like to see is more realistic policies and less Labour Party spin.
put a spin on something
▪ Whatever spin the government tries to put on it, this can be seen as nothing less than a massive defeat.
▪ The senator was determined to put a positive spin on the affair.
6. reasons, explanations etc that persuade you to believe something
▷ convincing /kənˈvɪnsɪŋ/ [adjective]
a convincing reason, explanation, or excuse makes you believe that something is true or right :
▪ Jurors thought the defence’s arguments were very convincing.
▪ There is convincing evidence that smoking causes heart disease.
▪ Archeologists found convincing proof that the Vikings had landed in North America.
▷ persuasive /pəʳˈsweɪsɪv/ [adjective]
persuasive arguments, proof etc make people believe that something is true or right, by giving them good reasons :
▪ Barratt’s argument was persuasive, but the managers still turned down his proposal.
▪ He made a persuasive case for making the changes.
▪ We found no persuasive evidence of illegal activity.
▷ compelling /kəmˈpelɪŋ/ [adjective]
a compelling reason, argument etc is one that is so strong and powerful that it can persuade you that something is true or that something should be done :
▪ Freud’s approach to the analysis of dreams is highly compelling.
▪ It is hard to find a more compelling reason to quit smoking than the fact that it affects your children’s health.
7. to persuade someone by making something seem very good
▷ tempt /tempt/ [transitive verb]
to make someone want to do something by making it seem enjoyable, exciting etc :
▪ Travel companies tempt people with special offers.
tempt somebody to do something
▪ The club is giving away free T-shirts in order to tempt people to join.
▪ The arrangement tempts employees to win contracts even by illegal means.
tempt somebody into doing something
▪ Don’t be tempted into betting money on the horses.
▷ lure /lʊəʳ, ljʊəʳǁlʊər/ [transitive verb]
to persuade someone to go somewhere or to do something, especially something which they should not do, or something that might harm them :
lure somebody into/to/away etc
▪ The boy apparently lured the girl into his bedroom and attacked her.
lure somebody into doing something
▪ Peasants were lured into joining the People’s Army by the promises of large sums of money for their families.
▷ entice /ɪnˈtaɪs/ [transitive verb]
to offer someone something they want in order to persuade them to do something :
▪ The banks are offering special low rates in an attempt to entice prospective customers.
entice somebody to do something
▪ The ads entice young people to smoke.
entice somebody into doing something
▪ The company hopes to entice shareholders into agreeing to a merger.
8. something good that is used to persuade someone
▷ incentive /ɪnˈsentɪv/ [countable/uncountable noun]
something that encourages you to work harder, start new activities etc :
▪ The school gives incentives such as more play time to kids who work hard.
▪ The new plan will provide strong incentives for young people to improve their skills.
incentive to do something
▪ When prices are so low, farmers have little incentive to increase production.
tax/cash/financial incentives
offers to reduce taxes, give someone money etc
▪ The government is offering special tax incentives to people wanting to start up small businesses.
▷ sweetener /ˈswiːtnəʳ/ [countable noun]
something that is offered to someone to make a deal or plan seem more attractive, so that they will accept it :
▪ The new airport is an unpopular development but the government has promised £4 million in grants to the local community as a sweetener.
▷ carrot /ˈkærət/ [countable noun usually singular] informal
a reward that is offered to someone to encourage them to do something :
▪ The U.S. has held out the carrot of more aid and investment.
carrot and stick
a combination of rewards and punishments
▪ Governments were forced to adopt a carrot and stick approach to the trade unions.
▷ inducement /ɪnˈdjuːsməntǁɪnˈduːs-/ [countable/uncountable noun]
something such as a gift that you offer to someone in order to persuade them to do what you want :
▪ The prices are the main inducement - everything is much cheaper here than at the mall.
inducement to do something
▪ I don’t think the tax reduction will be an inducement to save more.
cash/financial inducement
▪ As a way of reducing the workforce, workers are being offered cash inducements to retire.
inducement for somebody to do something
▪ The government want to use this as an inducement for developing countries to open up their markets.
9. good at persuading people
▷ persuasive /pəʳˈsweɪsɪv/ [adjective]
▪ Like most politicians, she can be very persuasive when she wants to be.
▪ He is a very persuasive speaker.
persuasively [adverb]
▪ She gave her evidence calmly and persuasively.
▷ forceful /ˈfɔːʳsf ə l/ [adjective]
able to express your ideas and opinions in a strong, confident way so that you persuade people to agree with you :
▪ a manager with a forceful personality
▪ He can be arrogant and forceful.
▪ Betty Friedan was a forceful advocate of women’s rights.
forcefully [adverb]
▪ For over an hour she spoke forcefully about the famine in Africa.
▷ pushy /ˈpʊʃi/ [adjective]
someone who is pushy annoys people by trying hard to make them do what they want, especially by repeatedly asking them or telling them to do something :
▪ A good salesman is polite, enthusiastic, and not too pushy.
▪ Pushy journalists shouted questions from the crowd.
▷ smooth-talking /ˈsmuːð ˌtɔːkɪŋ/ [adjective only before noun]
a smooth-talking person is usually insincere or dishonest although they have a pleasant, confident way of talking which easily persuades people :
▪ a smooth-talking car salesman
▪ A smooth-talking young man was offering to buy her a drink.
▷ slick /slɪk/ [adjective]
good at persuading people by talking to them in a clever, confident way, but usually insincere or dishonest :
▪ I don’t trust her. She’s too slick.
▪ He’s got a bunch of slick lawyers to get him out of paying the $11 million he owes us.
10. too easily persuaded by other people
▷ be a pushover /biː ə ˈpʊʃəʊvəʳ/ [verb phrase]
someone who is a pushover is very easy to persuade, and you can get them to do what you want them to do :
▪ She’s a kind and gentle person, but she’s no pushover.
▷ be a soft touch /biː ə ˌsɒft ˈtʌtʃǁ-ˌsɔːft-/ [verb phrase]
to be someone who can be easily persuaded to give someone what they want, especially because you are too kind and sympathetic :
▪ It’s important that the kids don’t think the teacher is a soft touch.
▷ naïve /naɪˈiːvǁnɑːˈiːv/ [adjective]
someone who is naïve is so young or inexperienced that they are likely to be easily persuaded to believe something :
▪ I was so naïve - I believed everything the army told me about my husband’s death.
▪ She’s either stupid or naïve if she thinks he really cares about her.
▷ gullible /ˈgʌlɪb ə l, ˈgʌləb ə l/ [adjective]
easily persuaded or tricked into believing that something is true :
▪ It’s easy to blame the public for being gullible enough to buy dieting products, but it’s the companies who sell them who should take responsibility.
▪ She was described by her neighbors as a sweet but gullible woman who allowed the man to live in her house as a source of extra money.
▷ impressionable /ɪmˈpreʃ ə nəb ə l/ [adjective]
someone who is impressionable, especially a young person, is easily influenced and can easily be persuaded to do things or to change their opinions :
▪ Unfortunately, the show’s message to millions of impressionable teens is that it’s OK to take drugs.
at an impressionable age
when you are young and impressionable
▪ I’ve always wanted to do martial arts - maybe I saw too many Jackie Chan movies at an impressionable age.
▷ easily-led /ˌiːzɪli ˈled, ˌiːzəli ˈled/ [adjective not before noun] British
someone who is easily-led does not have a strong character and can easily be persuaded to do things, even things that are wrong :
▪ She’s young and rather easily-led.
▪ My son’s rather easily-led and tends to get in with the wrong crowd at school.
11. to persuade someone not to do something
▷ persuade somebody not to do something /pəʳˌsweɪd somebody nɒt tə ˈduː something/ [verb phrase]
to make someone decide not to do something, by giving them reasons why they should not do it :
▪ Catherine persuaded him not to resign.
▪ The program hopes to persuade school children not to try smoking or drugs.
▷ talk somebody out of /ˌtɔːk somebody ˈaʊt ɒv/ [transitive phrasal verb]
to talk to someone about something they are planning to do, and persuade them not to do it :
talk somebody out of something
▪ I nearly cancelled the wedding, but my best friend talked me out of it.
▪ Police officers talked a man out of a suicide jump off the bridge.
talk somebody out of doing something
▪ Her father talked her out of studying history because he thought she would hate it.
▷ discourage /dɪsˈkʌrɪdʒǁ-ˈkɜːr-/ [transitive verb]
to stop someone wanting to do something, by making them think that it will be difficult or unpleasant :
▪ We need to discourage the use of cars for short journeys.
▪ Leave the lights on when you’re out in order to discourage burglars.
discourage somebody from doing something
▪ Girls are sometimes discouraged from studying subjects like engineering and physics.
▷ put off /ˌpʊt ˈɒf/ [transitive phrasal verb] informal
to make someone lose interest in something that they want or were thinking of doing, by making it seem difficult or unpleasant :
▪ I’m not going to be put off by his threats.
put somebody off doing something
▪ A lot of people are put off becoming teachers by the long hours and the low pay.
▷ deter /dɪˈtɜːʳ/ [transitive verb] written
to make someone decide not to do something by making them realize that it will be difficult or dangerous or will have unpleasant results :
▪ The new alarm system should deter car thieves.
deter somebody from doing something
▪ The unpleasant taste the drug produces is used to deter alcoholics from drinking.
12. something that persuades someone not to do something
▷ deterrent /dɪˈterəntǁ-ˈtɜːr-/ [countable noun]
something that makes people afraid to or less likely to do something :
▪ Window locks are a cheap and effective deterrent.
deterrent to
▪ The special paint is meant to be a deterrent to graffiti artists.
deterrent against
▪ The fines are large enough to be an effective deterrent against speeding.
act/serve as a deterrent
▪ Experts do not agree about whether the death penalty acts as a deterrent.
▷ disincentive /ˌdɪsɪnˈsentɪv, ˌdɪsənˈsentɪv/ [countable noun]
a disadvantage which makes people less willing to do something :
▪ We’re trying to attract more graduates into nursing, but the salary and hours are strong disincentives.
disincentive to
▪ Raising taxes on unearned income would be a major disincentive to saving and investment.