as in convincing
the act of reasoning or pleading with someone to accept a belief or course of action
a defense lawyer uses not only legal arguments but also moral suasion to appeal to a jury's sense of right and wrong
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 suasion
Some will argue that self-expression is the goal, others moral suasion; some will prefer soft power to storming the barricades and some the reverse.
—
Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 27 Sep. 2024
Read More: Believing Myths About Aging Makes Growing Old Worse
Initially, their belief in moral suasion worked.
—Rebecca Brannon / Made By History, TIME, 3 July 2024
In this brilliant new look at the destruction of slavery during the American Civil War, Oakes reveals how the U.S. abolitionist movement relied not only on high-minded moral suasion but also on the small-bore legalistic strategy of the Republican Party.
—James Oakes, Foreign Affairs, 27 Dec. 2012
Beyond moral suasion is a clear policy against any form of discrimination that happens to be taking place.
—Alyson Shontell, Fortune, 31 Aug. 2023
See All Example Sentences for suasion
Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 27 Sep. 2024
Read More: Believing Myths About Aging Makes Growing Old Worse
Initially, their belief in moral suasion worked.
—Rebecca Brannon / Made By History, TIME, 3 July 2024
In this brilliant new look at the destruction of slavery during the American Civil War, Oakes reveals how the U.S. abolitionist movement relied not only on high-minded moral suasion but also on the small-bore legalistic strategy of the Republican Party.
—James Oakes, Foreign Affairs, 27 Dec. 2012
Beyond moral suasion is a clear policy against any form of discrimination that happens to be taking place.
—Alyson Shontell, Fortune, 31 Aug. 2023
See All Example Sentences for suasion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for suasion
Noun
-
Sales and Negotiation While AI transforms many aspects of business, the uniquely human arts of persuasion and relationship-building command ever-higher premiums.—
Caroline Castrillon,
Forbes,
17 Mar. 2025
-
In some cases, persuasion and affinity simply aren’t enough to overcome national security concerns.—
Matthew Clary,
The Conversation,
11 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
The big picture: The Nickel Plate Trail, a 10-foot-wide asphalt path running northeast from 42nd Street near Fall Creek Parkway through Castleton to the Hamilton County line at 96th Street near Hague Road, is the latest rail-to-trail conversion.—
Arika Herron,
Axios,
14 Mar. 2025
-
Some studies show a potential for a 30% to 40% increase in sales by effectively reaching the right audience, building brand awareness and driving customer engagement, which ultimately leads to higher conversion rates and customer retention.—
Joe Ariganello,
Forbes,
14 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
The company raised additional funds through an at-the-market facility and a warrant inducement agreement, generating net proceeds of approximately $9.0 million during the year.—
Quartz Intelligence Newsroom,
Quartz,
13 Mar. 2025
-
Hostility to the standing army dictatorship of England’s Earl of Strafford and Oliver Cromwell after him was a major inducement to the enactment of the Bill of Rights, initially conceived as limiting federal but not state powers.—
George Liebmann,
Baltimore Sun,
23 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Suasion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/suasion. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share