Coaxes

Part of speech: verb

Pronunciation: /kəʊksɪz/

Definitions

1. To skillfully persuade another through gentle means; to obtain assistance or compliance by using encouraging and soothing language; to influence someone's decision or behavior with subtle and persistent coaxing methods
2. To encourage someone carefully with gentle words to get them to take action
3. To softly urge or prompt someone toward a desired outcome through patience and kindness

Etymology: To coax someone was first to make a fool of them. The verb grew out of an older English noun, "coax," meaning a simpleton or dupe, so the early sense was deceiving someone with flattery. The gentle persuasion came later, as a coaxer wins people over with soothing talk until they give in. The noun's own origin is uncertain. It may be connected to Middle English "cokes," a word for fool, but the link is not firmly established. "Coaxes" is the third-person singular present form of "coax," used when one person does the gentle persuading.

Synonyms: persuades, entices

Antonyms: dissuades, repels