Persuade

Part of speech: verb

Pronunciation: /pə(ɹ)ˈsweɪd/

Definitions

1. To convince someone to do or believe something through reasoning or argument
2. To bring someone to accept a viewpoint or undertake an action by using reasoning, emotional appeal, or discussion techniques
3. To influence someone’s beliefs or behaviors through logical reasoning, emotional appeals, or persistent dialogue

Etymology: Latin "persuādēre" combined "per," meaning "through" or "thoroughly," with "suādēre," "to advise" or "to urge." The root idea is therefore one of thoroughly recommending something until the listener agrees, a sense that lingers in the English word's reliance on argument rather than force. The Latin verb is itself linked to "suāvis," meaning "sweet," which is an unexpected relative: persuading was once framed as a kind of sweet, pleasing speech. The English verb is borrowed directly from Latin, so it arrived with its full classical sense intact. The Latin root "suād-" also gave English "dissuade," which is the opposite action: to talk someone out of something. Both words share the same core verb and differ only by the prefix, one pushing toward a conclusion and the other pulling away from it.

Synonyms: convince, influence, coax, sway, encourage

Antonyms: dissuade, discourage, prevent, repel, alienate