What does persuade mean?
Persuade means to influence someone so that they accept an idea, agree with an opinion, or choose to do something. It usually involves reasoning, explanation, evidence, personal appeal, or a combination of these. The word is used in both formal and informal contexts and can describe persuading someone to accept a factual claim, support a proposal, or change their mind. For example, a speaker may persuade an audience through clear arguments, while a friend may persuade someone to attend an event. Persuasion is often presented as a deliberate and successful process, so "I persuaded him to reconsider" implies that the intended result was achieved. The related adjective persuasive describes a person, argument, or approach that is capable of influencing others, and the noun persuasion refers both to the act of influencing someone and to a particular belief held by a person or group.
verbTo convince someone to believe, accept, or do something by reasoning, argument, or appeal. It can also mean to persuade someone to change their opinion or intention.
- To cause someone to agree with a belief, argument, or point of view.
- To persuade someone to do something or not do something.
- To persuade someone to change their opinion, intention, or course of action.
"She persuaded him to join the committee."
"The evidence persuaded the investigators that the witness had been mistaken."
"He persuaded the committee to approve the revised proposal."
"Her explanation persuaded him to reconsider his position."
Persuade comes from the Latin language of advice and urging: its roots literally point toward getting someone to see things your way.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does persuade come from?
The word comes from Latin persuadere, formed from per- and suadere, meaning to advise, recommend, or urge strongly. The English verb appeared in the early 16th century in the sense of advising or recommending and later came to mean convincing someone through argument or appeal. Its relatives persuasion and persuasive preserve the same Latin root, while the older spelling "perswade" reflects the pronunciation of the word before its current form became established.
Related word forms
How persuade is actually used
Persuade is generally neutral in register and commonly describes influencing someone's reasoning or choices. In formal writing, it often takes the pattern persuade someone to do something or persuade someone that something is true. Persuaded can also mean emotionally or practically moved to act, as in "She was persuaded to stay."
Easily confused with persuade
Persuade often describes an effort to get someone to choose an action or accept a view, whereas convince primarily focuses on making someone believe something is true.