1
as in convincing
the act of reasoning or pleading with someone to accept a belief or course of action
the suffragists' gradual persuasion of the American people that voting rights had to be extended to women
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in religion
a body of beliefs and practices regarding the supernatural and the worship of one or more deities
debating theology with someone of a different persuasion
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in belief
an idea that is believed to be true or valid without positive knowledge
he's of the persuasion that everything that happens in this world is part of a divine plan
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in effectiveness
the capacity to persuade
there was an inherent persuasion in his sonorous voice that made listeners put aside any misgivings about his message
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 persuasion
Our need for reliable information on climate threats should matter to all Americans, regardless of location or political persuasion.
—
Michael Chertoff, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 Mar. 2026
For those of Republican persuasion, the coming election should be dispiriting for a party that once ruled the Lake County political roost.
—Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 2 Mar. 2026
The coach’s persuasion probably helped as well.
—Jim Alexander, Oc Register, 2 Mar. 2026
Jesse worked nonstop — a true indicator of how his life’s focus was to raise up those who needed the power of his pressure and persuasion.
—Rick Davis, CNN Money, 27 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for persuasion
Michael Chertoff, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 Mar. 2026
For those of Republican persuasion, the coming election should be dispiriting for a party that once ruled the Lake County political roost.
—Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 2 Mar. 2026
The coach’s persuasion probably helped as well.
—Jim Alexander, Oc Register, 2 Mar. 2026
Jesse worked nonstop — a true indicator of how his life’s focus was to raise up those who needed the power of his pressure and persuasion.
—Rick Davis, CNN Money, 27 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for persuasion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for persuasion
Noun
-
In Iran, women are legally required to adhere to a dress code, and must wear a hijab, or headscarf, regardless of their nationality or religion.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Providing service to others seems like a good cure for what ails us today — a true lack of altruism and looking out for each other regardless of race, gender or religion, etc.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The Moon, planet of emotions, soars into your 9th House of Philosophy today, encouraging you to explore ideas, cultures, or beliefs that soften sharp edges.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
16 Mar. 2026
-
Beyond rock and ice The finding of L 98-59 d challenges the long-standing astronomical belief that small exoplanets must be either gas dwarfs or water worlds covered in ice and oceans.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
16 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
These have questionable or no effectiveness, says Owen.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
9 Mar. 2026
-
This is an ideal solution for technically adept web admins who prioritize cost-effectiveness, absolute control, and performance.—
Gabriel Zamora,
PC Magazine,
8 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Brown is challenging the federal government's purchase and conversion of the warehouse.—
Adam Thompson,
CBS News,
11 Mar. 2026
-
The county resolution can’t actually prevent the sale or conversion of the warehouse, however.—
Ryan Gillespie,
The Orlando Sentinel,
10 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The 53-year-old Japanese designer, who founded cult label Number (N)ine in 1997, is relaunching the brand 15 years after stepping away from it.—
Ashley Ogawa Clarke,
Vogue,
9 Mar. 2026
-
The sword-and-sorcery title grossed over $68M worldwide, coming to be appreciated as a cult classic, and spawned the sequel Conan the Destroyer (1984).—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Thanks to the anonymity of the internet, users are more than welcome to voice their opinions on the latest political decision or cultural happening.—
Catherina Gioino,
Fortune,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Throughout his career, Wegmann has spent considerable time researching the impact of affordable housing initiatives, and in his opinion, if properly funded and managed, taxpayer subsidies can have a positive impact.—
Matthew Adams,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
But his dictionary, with its conclusiveness, was a huge publishing success.—
Louis Menand,
New Yorker,
22 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
But Putin cannot have needed much persuading to agree to a formal invitation to the US to have the bilateral meeting his team have long held out as the way towards peace in Ukraine.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
9 Aug. 2025
-
In the framework of conversational intelligence, most workplace communication falls into Level 1 (telling) or Level 2 (persuading).—
Susan Curtin,
Forbes.com,
5 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Persuasion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/persuasion. Accessed 17 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
