What does suasible mean?
Suasible is a formal adjective meaning able or open to persuasion. It describes a person, group, or audience that can be convinced by an argument, appeal, or explanation to change its opinion or take a particular action. The word is now uncommon, but it remains especially associated with rhetoric, politics, education, and discussions of public opinion. Its meaning should not be confused with persuasive, which describes a person or argument that has the power to influence others. Nor is it usually the best choice when discussing vulnerability to disease, emotional influence, or harmful conditions; susceptible is more appropriate in those contexts. In modern general writing, persuadable is often clearer and more familiar, but suasible can give formal or literary contexts a distinctive tone.
adjectiveCapable of being persuaded or induced to accept a belief, course of action, or request. The word is formal and rare.
- Able to be persuaded, convinced, or moved by an argument, appeal, or request.
"The committee was suasible, but only after a careful explanation of the proposed changes."
"Public opinion may be suasible when the evidence is presented clearly."
"The speaker appealed to the more suasible members of the audience."
Its Latin ancestry is visible in the familiar family of persuade, persuasion, and persuasive.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does suasible come from?
Suasible comes from Latin suasibilis, meaning able to be persuaded, formed from suadere, to persuade or advise. The same Latin root underlies English words such as persuade, persuasion, and persuasive. The English adjective is now rare, having largely been displaced by persuadable and persuasive in ordinary usage.
Related word forms
How suasible is actually used
This is a formal and uncommon word. In everyday English, persuadable is much more natural, while susceptible is used in broader contexts involving influence, vulnerability, or medical risk.
Easily confused with suasible
Suasible means open to persuasion, whereas susceptible more commonly means liable to be affected by an influence, condition, or disease.
Suasible describes someone who can be persuaded; persuasive describes someone or something capable of persuading others.