Overpersuade

Part of speech: verb

Pronunciation: /ˌəʊvəpəˈsweɪd/

Definitions

1. To excessively influence someone's beliefs or choices, often leading them to regret their decision
2. To influence a person to accept an idea or action beyond what is reasonable
3. To urge or sway someone so strongly that it becomes excessive or overwhelming

Etymology: "Overpersuade" is a plain formation: the prefix "over-", meaning excessively or beyond the proper degree, attached to "persuade." Its sense is simply to press someone too hard, to win them round by more insistence than the situation warrants, so the prefix adds the idea of excess and nothing more. "Persuade" itself comes from Latin "persuadere," built from "per-" (thoroughly) and "suadere" (to advise or urge), so the core notion is urging someone thoroughly. Adding "over-" turns that urging into pushing past the point where it helps, which is why the word tends to describe persuasion that backfires or becomes pressure.