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
4

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun persuasion contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of persuasion are belief, conviction, opinion, sentiment, and view. While all these words mean "a judgment one holds as true," persuasion suggests a belief grounded on assurance (as by evidence) of its truth.

was of the persuasion that everything changes

When might belief be a better fit than persuasion?

In some situations, the words belief and persuasion are roughly equivalent. However, belief implies often deliberate acceptance and intellectual assent.

a firm belief in her party's platform

When could conviction be used to replace persuasion?

The meanings of conviction and persuasion largely overlap; however, conviction applies to a firmly and seriously held belief.

the conviction that animal life is as sacred as human

When is opinion a more appropriate choice than persuasion?

The words opinion and persuasion are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, opinion implies a conclusion thought out yet open to dispute.

each expert seemed to have a different opinion

Where would sentiment be a reasonable alternative to persuasion?

The synonyms sentiment and persuasion are sometimes interchangeable, but sentiment suggests a settled opinion reflective of one's feelings.

her feminist sentiments are well-known

When can view be used instead of persuasion?

The words view and persuasion can be used in similar contexts, but view suggests a subjective opinion.

very assertive in stating his views

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 Use your powers of persuasion as Mercury retrograde aligns with Pluto. USA TODAY, 25 Mar. 2025 Cialdini’s thesis is that there are six fundamental principles of persuasion. Neil Senturia, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Mar. 2025 People talk politics among friends and family of the same political persuasion. Michel A. Ibrahim, Baltimore Sun, 11 Mar. 2025 How to develop: Take courses on sales techniques and persuasion. Cheryl Robinson, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for persuasion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for persuasion
Noun
  • Bold, maximal artworks challenging religion and American intervention in Latin America.
    Chadd Scott, Forbes.com, 5 Apr. 2025
  • While Janice avoids even visiting Eric in prison, she is torn between cleaning out his room and grappling with the role of faith and religion.
    Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 4 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • As algorithms and politics herd us into narrower and narrower silos, the pressure increases on artists (as well as comedians, actors, and even brands) to mirror their fans’ core beliefs.
    Ryan Miller, The Atlantic, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Their belief in this project means the world to me.
    Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 10 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Big chances have almost doubled (1.5 per match to 3), as has Everton’s big-chance conversion rate (21 per cent to 41 per cent).
    Patrick Boyland, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
  • These improvements are likely to boost conversion rates, increase average order values, and improve advertising efficiency both on Amazon’s platform and beyond.
    Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • That concept of freedom might be better exemplified by Cambodia’s Khmer Rouge, another Third World death cult that promised liberation and promoted slaughter — and that came with its own prominent apologists on American college campuses.
    Bret Stephens, Mercury News, 4 Apr. 2025
  • The film, written by Quentin Tarantino, has achieved cult status. 7. 'Top Gun' (1986) IMDb Rating: 6.9 Kilmer's portrayal of Iceman, a rival pilot to Tom Cruise's Maverick, became iconic in this high-flying action drama that defined a generation.
    Jason D. Greenblatt, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Danny is preparing her staff for an imminent natural disaster in this scene, so the tone’s quite serious already, and her opinion of Grey’s seems uncharitable at best.
    Rebecca Luther, TVLine, 3 Apr. 2025
  • Comments on opinion articles may be emailed to letters@nytimes.com.
    New York Times, New York Times, 3 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Price upon publish date of this article: $780 What to Look for in a Crossbody Phone Bag Special features: When shopping for a crossbody phone bag, there are a few key features to keep in mind.
    Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 10 Apr. 2025
  • The more Tropper thought about it, the more one actor appeared in his mind for Coop: Jon Hamm.
    Antonia Blyth, Deadline, 10 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • As the pulse of Hollywood, The Hollywood Reporter brings a distinctive voice backed by 95 years of history, giving us unparalleled access and authority in the entertainment world.
    THR Staff, HollywoodReporter, 9 Apr. 2025
  • The cause of the roof collapse wasn't immediately clear as authorities investigated.
    Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 9 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Those negative opinions of Musk are bleeding over into negative views of Tesla, especially among those who identify as liberals.
    Chris Isidore, CNN Money, 2 Apr. 2025
  • The legislation changes how the law describes the federal government and the legislature’s view of Second Amendment rights, in an effort to sidestep the legal problems that ensnared the 2021 law.
    Jonathan Shorman, Kansas City Star, 2 Apr. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Persuasion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/persuasion. Accessed 15 Apr. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on persuasion

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!