Persuasion
noun /pəˈsweɪʒən/ — The act of convincing through argument or appeal — one of the most studied arts in human history.
Definition
The action or fact of persuading someone or of being persuaded to do or believe something; a means of persuading; a belief or set of beliefs.
Beyond the definition
Persuasion is the art and the act — Aristotle's Rhetoric was written to understand it; Cicero was its greatest practitioner; modern advertising is its commercial form. Persuasion moves between logos (reason), ethos (character), and pathos (emotion).
Origin & history
From Latin persuasio — a convincing (from persuadere: to bring over to one's side, from per: thoroughly + suadere: to advise). Thoroughly advising — persuasion as the complete winning over of another.
Example sentences
Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.
The persuasion was subtle enough that she hadn't noticed it happening — she'd simply found herself agreeing.
He distrusted eloquent persuasion on principle: the more smoothly it arrived, the less time he took before accepting.
Persuasion is the overlap between what you want to say and what the other person is ready to hear.
How to use it
This entry uses a noun. Follow the examples for articles and singular or plural forms; not every noun takes “a” or “an.”
Choose “Persuasion” when the meaning fits your context: The action or fact of persuading someone or of being persuaded to do or believe something; a means of persuading; a belief or set of beliefs.
Synonyms
convincing, influence, argument, advocacy, appeal
Antonyms
coercion, force, deterrence
Related words
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Word in the Wild
See how this word appears in life, language and stories.
Illustrative sentences and imagined stories for learning — not verified sightings, interviews, or sourced quotations.
Fictional scene
Commanding Orator on Stage
An orator stands on a stage before an audience, arms outstretched in an assertive, commanding gesture, lit by sharp light.
The orator's commanding pose illustrates the act of persuasion, as they aim to induce belief and influence their unseen audience. The dramatic lighting and assertive posture emphasize their attempt to convey a message forcefully and effectively through their performance.
Image credit: Wordspun · AI-generated conceptual illustration
Questions about this word
What does "Persuasion" mean?
Persuasion is noun meaning: The act of convincing through argument or appeal — one of the most studied arts in human history.. The action or fact of persuading someone or of being persuaded to do or believe something; a means of persuading; a belief or set of beliefs.
Where does the word "Persuasion" come from?
From Latin persuasio — a convincing (from persuadere: to bring over to one's side, from per: thoroughly + suadere: to advise). Thoroughly advising — persuasion as the complete winning over of another.