Persuade
/pərˈsweɪd/
verbB1
Definition
Persuade means to talk or act in a way that makes another person believe or do something. It involves giving reasons, explanations, or feelings that help change someone’s mind or decision. People often persuade others to help, buy things, or accept ideas.
Was this helpful?
See It in Action
To convince someone to believe or do something by giving reasons
- •She persuaded her parents to let her go to the party.
- •The teacher persuaded the students to study harder for the exam.
- •He persuaded his friend to try the new restaurant.
To cause a change in someone's opinion or decision through talk or argument
- •Advertisements try to persuade people to buy products.
- •The lawyer persuaded the jury with strong evidence.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "persuade" like "ask," but stronger because you give reasons to help someone say yes
- ✓Picture someone trying to convince a friend to watch a movie by telling them how fun it is
- ✓It’s the feeling when you want your friend to agree with your idea and explain why it is good
- ✓Sounds like "purr-SWAYD" → imagine gently guiding someone like a gentle wave that moves a boat in a new direction
- ✓Think of a salesperson or a teacher explaining why something is important to get others to agree
- ✓NOT like "order" (which means telling someone what to do without choice), "persuade" gives reasons and lets the other person decide
- ✓NOT like "force" (making someone do something by power), "persuade" uses words and ideas to change minds
- ✓NOT like "ask" (just a question), "persuade" includes reasons and tries to change feelings or thoughts
Try Other Words
- •Convince: to make someone sure or certain (Use when focusing on proof or facts)
- •Encourage: to give support or confidence to do something (Use when you want to make someone feel good about doing something)
- •Influence: to have an effect on someone's decisions or feelings (Use when the effect is less direct or more general)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: "per-" (through) + "suade" (from Latin "suadere" meaning to advise or urge)
- •Etymology: From Latin "persuadere," meaning to advise or convince someone fully
- •Historical development: Used in English since the 1400s to mean winning someone’s agreement by argument or reason
- •Modern usage: Commonly used in everyday speech, advertising, law, and personal communication to show changing minds by reasons or feelings
Reflect & Connect
•How do you usually persuade your friends or family to try something new?
•Can persuasion be used in a bad way? How can you tell if someone is trying to persuade you fairly?
Fill in the blanks
1.She tried to persuade her parents ___ going to the concert by explaining how safe it would be.
2.Advertisements often use pictures and music to persuade people ___ buying their products.
3.Unlike orders, persuasion gives people ___ to decide after hearing reasons.
4.He didn’t just ask; he persuaded her ___ join the team by telling her about the fun activities.
5.When someone persuades you, they usually give ___ or feelings to change your mind.
6.You can persuade someone gently, but you cannot ___ them to do something against their will.
7.The lawyer persuaded the jury by showing strong ___ and clear explanations.