Definition of: persuade

(pər·swād′) v.t. ·suad·ed, ·suad·ing
1. To move (a person, etc.) to do something by arguments, inducements, pleas, etc.
2. To induce to a belief; convince. [<L persuadere <per- thoroughly + suadere advise]
—per·suad′a·ble adjective
—per·suad′er noun Synonyms: allure, coax, convince, dispose, entice, impel, incite, incline, induce, influence, lead, move, urge, win. Of these words convince alone has no direct reference to moving the will, denoting an effect upon the understanding only; one may be convinced of truth that has no manifest connection with duty or action, as of a mathematical proposition. To persuade is to bring the will of another to a desired decision by some influence exerted upon it short of compulsion; one may be convinced that the earth is round; he may be persuaded to travel around it; but persuasion is so largely dependent upon conviction that it is commonly held to be the orator's work first to convince in order that he may persuade. Coax is a slighter word than persuade, seeking the same end by shallower methods, largely by appeal to personal feeling, with or without success; as, a child coaxes a parent to buy him a toy. One may be induced by means not properly included in persuasion, as by bribery or intimidation; he is won over chiefly by personal influence. See ACTUATE, BEND, CONVINCE, INFLUENCE. Antonyms: deter, discourage, dissuade, hinder, repel, restrain.