cajole
Americanverb (used with or without object)
verb
Other Word Forms
- cajolement noun
- cajoler noun
- cajolery noun
- cajolingly adverb
- uncajoling adjective
Etymology
Origin of cajole
1635–45; < French cajoler to cajole or chatter like a jaybird, apparently derivative of *cajole birdcage (< Late Latin caveola < Latin cave ( a ) cage + -ola -ole 1 ( def. ) ) + -er infinitive suffix
Explanation
To cajole someone is to persuade them by using insincere compliments or promises. If you say "Please, pretty-please, I'll be your best friend," when asking for a stick of gum, you are cajoling the gum holder. The origin of this word is probably a blend of two French words meaning "to chatter like a jaybird" and "to lure into a cage." When you cajole that guy into lending you some money, picture him as the bird going into the cage. In fact, the word cajole may be associated with another French word meaning "to put in jail."
Vocabulary lists containing cajole
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
His goal is to talk up the VW agreement to cajole workers at Mercedes and other foreign plants into unionizing.
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 17, 2026
Belgium's outspoken prime minister Bart De Wever will be in the spotlight as his EU counterparts -- most of whom back the plan -- try to cajole him to accept.
From Barron's • Dec. 18, 2025
My mother did her best to cajole me into going.
From MarketWatch • Nov. 27, 2025
Old Ass tries to cajole Elliott into appreciating her family before she leaves them behind, but also perhaps isn’t so wise herself in some of her advice.
From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 12, 2024
Thousands of feet below, his friends stepped up their efforts to cajole him to start down.
From "Into Thin Air" by Jon Krakauer
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
