What does persuadability mean?
Persuadability is the quality of being open to persuasion: willing to listen to reasons, consider new information, and potentially change an opinion or course of action. It suggests flexibility rather than mere passivity, although the word can sometimes carry the implication that someone is too easily influenced. A person of high persuadability may be receptive, thoughtful, and willing to reconsider a position, especially when presented with clear evidence or a persuasive argument. The word can also refer, more rarely, to the ability to persuade others, but its principal modern use concerns receptiveness to persuasion. Persuadability is especially associated with political discussion, negotiation, leadership, and audiences. In these contexts, it describes the degree to which someone can be reached through reasoning or appeal. The term is formal and less common than persuasion itself, so it is usually chosen when the speaker wants to emphasize openness to influence or a measurable susceptibility to argument.
The quality of being open or willing to persuasion, especially of being willing to change an opinion or course of action.
"The candidate's measured appeal tested the persuadability of a skeptical electorate."
This is the usual modern sense. The word is formal and relatively uncommon.
The ability or power to persuade others.
"The advertisement demonstrated the persuader's remarkable persuadability."
This sense is less common and can be confused with persuasiveness.
Usually used as an uncountable noun; the plural form is rare.
"The study compared the persuadabilities of different types of audiences."
Being open to persuasion is a strength only when a person is willing to follow evidence rather than simply the loudest voice.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does persuadability come from?
Persuadability derives from the Latin verb persuadere, formed from per- and suadere, meaning to advise or recommend. The English words persuade, persuasion, and persuasive developed from this same Latin foundation. The suffix -ability was added in English to form a noun expressing the quality of being able to be persuaded, while the closely related sense concerning the power to persuade reflects the influence of persuasive.
Related word forms
How persuadability is actually used
The word is formal and relatively uncommon. It is more often used with people or audiences than with abstract arguments, and the less common sense meaning the power to persuade can occasionally be confused with persuasiveness.
Easily confused with persuadability
Persuadability is the quality of being open to persuasion, whereas persuasiveness is the quality or power of persuading others.