coax

verb

ˈkōks How to pronounce coax (audio)
Definition of coaxnext
as in to cajole
to get (someone) to do something by gentle urging, special attention, or flattery trying to coax their father into taking them on a ski trip, the teens mentioned what a great skier he is

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb coax differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of coax are blandish, cajole, soft-soap, and wheedle. While all these words mean "to influence or persuade by pleasing words or actions," coax implies gentle and persistent words or actions employed to produce a desired effect.

coaxed the cat out of the tree

When could blandish be used to replace coax?

The meanings of blandish and coax largely overlap; however, blandish implies a more open desire to win a person over by effusive praise and affectionate actions.

legislators blandished with promises of support

Where would cajole be a reasonable alternative to coax?

In some situations, the words cajole and coax are roughly equivalent. However, cajole suggests the deliberate use of flattery to persuade in the face of reluctance or reasonable objections.

cajoled him into cheating on the final exam

When is it sensible to use soft-soap instead of coax?

Although the words soft-soap and coax have much in common, soft-soap refers to using smooth and somewhat insincere talk usually for personal gain.

politicians soft-soaping eligible voters

In what contexts can wheedle take the place of coax?

The words wheedle and coax are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, wheedle suggests more strongly than cajole the use of seductive appeal or artful words in persuading.

hucksters wheedling her life's savings out of her

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of coax The regulator claims Frost even allegedly misled current investors about the security of their existing investments to coax more funding out of them. —Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 11 July 2025 The twin moves represent a sharp contrast to the early months of the Trump administration, which were characterized by fitful attempts to coax Russia into a ceasefire as part of a broader rapprochement. —semafor.com, 11 July 2025 Key moment With the bases loaded and one out in the fourth inning, Gausman coaxed Gustavo Campero into a 1-3 double play. —Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2025 Learn more about how an infinite complexity of brews is coaxed out of those three simple ingredients by touring a brewery. —Jessica Kozuka, Travel + Leisure, 6 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for coax
Recent Examples of Synonyms for coax
  1. cajole
  2. lure
  3. seduce
  4. entice
  5. wheedle
  6. woo
  7. urge
  8. beg
Verb
  • Americans’ uneven history with civil rights has long been a drag on their government’s power to cajole allies and rivals alike to a shared goal.
    — Philip Elliott, Time, 28 July 2025
  • Of course no one should be forced, pressured or cajoled to pursue MAID!
    — Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 28 July 2025
Definition of cajole
Verb
  • In a particularly harsh blow to Apple, Meta successfully managed to lure away the leader of the company’s AI division, Ruoming Pang, with a compensation package reportedly valued at more than $200 million.
    — Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 1 Aug. 2025
  • Han alleges the woman lured 4-year-old Kyung-ha to a train station in Jecheon, roughly 40 miles from their home, and abandoned her.
    — Yoonjung Seo, CNN Money, 1 Aug. 2025
Definition of lure
Verb
  • After the show's season 27 premiere included a scene in which Trump, who was depicted twice with small genitals, attempted to seduce Satan in his bedroom at the White House, members of the president's team released a statement to EW criticizing South Park.
    — EW.com, EW.com, 30 July 2025
  • Following a near two-and-a-half-year hiatus, the premiere episode shows a naked Trump trying to seduce Satan, and came a day after the show's creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone had reached a $1.5 billion streaming deal with Paramount.
    — Marni Rose McFall, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 July 2025
Definition of seduce
Verb
  • For six months, President Trump tried to entice Putin to the table.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 13 July 2025
  • Culinary delight often begins with a visual feast that entices people to indulge in delicious flavors.
    — Molly Peck, USA Today, 10 July 2025
Definition of entice
Verb
  • Eli Mintz, a Yiddish-theatre star, played Uncle David with a high, wheedling voice, his hands a blur of gesticulation, and the Goldberg children were portrayed by Gentile actors, including the endearing Arlene (Fuzzy) McQuade as the preteen Rosalie, a studious girl with a sleek bob.
    — Emily Nussbaum, New Yorker, 9 June 2025
  • The ObamaCare failure made the tax cut harder, but after months of jawboning and wheedling, the White House got the deal done at the end of 2017.
    — Chris Stirewalt, The Hill, 2 May 2025
Definition of wheedle
Verb
  • Getty Images Over the last few days, the biggest companies in the soft drink industry have announced new offerings to woo increasingly health-conscious shoppers.
    — Alex Harring, CNBC, 23 July 2025
  • Travis is the sweet skater boy who tries to woo Tai and eventually succeeds.
    — Lisa Stardust, People.com, 19 July 2025
Definition of woo
Verb
  • A day earlier, conservative host Megyn Kelly urged Trump against potentially pardoning Combs.
    — Jay Stahl, USA Today, 2 Aug. 2025
  • Authorities urge anyone with information to call 1-800-TBI-FIND.
    — Emily Shapiro, ABC News, 1 Aug. 2025
Definition of urge
Verb
  • This begs the question: What else is there to say about Young and his offseason?
    — Alex Zietlow July 23, Charlotte Observer, 23 July 2025
  • On top of that, the battery easily goes a week without begging for a charger, and the square AMOLED display is way easier to read mid-run than a round one.
    — PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 21 July 2025
Definition of beg

Browse Nearby Words

coauthors
coax
coaxed
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Cite this Entry

“Coax.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/coax. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.

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