wheedle

[hweed-l, weed-l]

verb (used with object)

wheedled, wheedling 

1. to endeavor to influence (a person) by smooth, flattering, or beguiling words or acts.

   We wheedled him incessantly, but he would not consent.

   Synonyms: coax, cajole, flatter

2. to persuade (a person) by such words or acts.

   She wheedled him into going with her.

3. to obtain (something) by artful persuasions.

   I wheedled a new car out of my father.

   Synonyms: inveigle, beguile

verb (used without object)

wheedled, wheedling 

1. to use beguiling or artful persuasions.

   I always wheedle if I really need something.

wheedle

/ ˈwiːdəl /

verb

1. to persuade or try to persuade (someone) by coaxing words, flattery, etc

2. (tr) to obtain by coaxing and flattery

   she wheedled some money out of her father

Other Word Forms

• wheedler noun
• wheedlingly adverb
• unwheedled adjective
• wheedling adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of wheedle¹

First recorded in 1655–65; origin uncertain

Word History and Origins

Origin of wheedle¹

C17: perhaps from German wedeln to wag one's tail, from Old High German wedil, wadil tail

Example Sentences

He’s always looking to learn something, whether it’s from someone or just the cracks in their armor or the information he can wheedle out of somebody.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Then, at his busiest, with a wife and three children impatiently waiting at home, he wheedled Mel Brooks for a cameo in “Young Frankenstein.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Ask any nerd who wheedled her parents for a little more cash to buy books: What you get from Scholastic is what your parents are willing to buy you.

Read more on Salon

He wheedled money from the city for more cops, more police stations, more equipment, and he made nice with community organizations.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Then he had the woman hand her phone to a visiting technician and wheedled the phone number of the department head out him.

Read more on Washington Post

Related Words

• cajole 
• finagle