Persuasion
/pərˈsweɪʒən/
Definitions
2 meaningsThe action or process of persuading someone or of being persuaded.
/pərˈsweɪʒən/
The act of causing someone to do or believe something.
The art of persuasion is essential for effective leadership.
💡 Simply: Persuasion is like when you convince your friend to watch your favorite movie instead of theirs. It's about using your words and ideas to get someone to agree with you or do what you want.
👶 For kids: When you try to get someone to do something by talking to them and making them agree with you.
More Examples
She used gentle persuasion to convince him to change his mind.
The company employed various tactics of persuasion in their advertising campaign.
How It's Used
"The politician used clever persuasion to win over voters."
"Advertisers rely on persuasive techniques to sell products."
A particular belief or set of beliefs.
/pərˈsweɪʒən/
A belief or set of beliefs.
He comes from the socialist persuasion.
💡 Simply: Sometimes 'persuasion' can mean what someone believes in. Like, 'She's of a different persuasion,' means they have different beliefs or values.
👶 For kids: What someone believes or the group they belong to based on their ideas.
More Examples
The political candidate represents a specific persuasion.
They belong to the same religious persuasion.
How It's Used
"People of different persuasions may find common ground through shared values."
"He comes from the socialist persuasion."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Idioms & expressions
powers of persuasion
The ability to convince people.
"She has excellent powers of persuasion and can easily convince others."
to use persuasion
To employ techniques to influence others.
"He had to use persuasion to convince his parents."
From Middle English, from Old French *persuasion*, from Latin *persuasio* ('a convincing'), from *persuadere* ('to convince, persuade'), from *per-* ('thoroughly') + *suadere* ('to advise, urge').
The word 'persuasion' has been used since the 14th century to describe the act of convincing or being convinced.
Memory tip
Think of it as the skill used to *sway* people's opinions or actions.
Word Origin
"to convince"