cajole

[ kuh-johl ]

/ kəˈdʒoʊl /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR cajole ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with or without object), ca·joled, ca·jol·ing.

to persuade by flattery or promises; wheedle; coax.

Nearby words

cajal, cajal, santiago ramón y, cajan, cajeput, cajeputol, cajole, cajolery, cajun, cajuput, cake, cake eater

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 -ole¹) + -er infinitive suffix

Related formsca·jole·ment, nounca·jol·er, nounca·jol·ing·ly, adverbun·ca·jol·ing, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for cajole

Jim had to cajole me, as it was already late, and I was lounging around in sweats, book in hand.
I Was Gang Raped at a UVA Frat 30 Years Ago, and No One Did Anything|Liz Seccuro|December 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He is also trying to inspire, cajole, exhort, or shame us Catholics and others of goodwill into living our calling.
A Catholic Ex-Banker on Pope Francis’s Radical Views|Chris Lowney|December 15, 2013|DAILY BEAST
I recall mentioning that in the past to others: her using her femininity to cajole, to persuade.
The Margaret Thatcher I Knew|Jamie Dettmer|April 9, 2013|DAILY BEAST
But fan armies have mostly gained notoriety for their propensity to harass and cajole.
Justin Bieber, Nicki Minaj, and Lady Gaga’s Fan Armies Rally on Twitter|Tricia Romano|January 30, 2013|DAILY BEAST

And less than a day after this debacle, Earley is again seen trying to cajole a top player into action on a sketchy court.
The U.S. Open’s Watergate|Allen St. John|September 9, 2011|DAILY BEAST
It gives her confidence that he does not soothe or cajole, but speaks as he would to a man.
When Ghost Meets Ghost|William Frend De Morgan
See how I come to you, unpermitted, from those who cajole each other, and I show you my heart.
The Lion's Brood|Duffield Osborne
Wait, you old sinner, I will teach you to cajole other people's sweethearts.
The Mantle and Other Stories|Nicholas Gogol
Between periods of weeping she sought to cajole the old woman to release her, and at times she succumbed to blank despair.
Aunt Jane's Nieces in Society|Edith Van Dyne
It was a deputation of citizens, set out to cajole him into accepting the office.
The Sheriff of Badger|George B. Pattullo

British Dictionary definitions for cajole

cajole

/ (kəˈdʒəʊl) /

verb

to persuade (someone) by flattery or pleasing talk to do what one wants; wheedle; coax

Derived Formscajolement, nouncajoler, nouncajolery, nouncajolingly, adverb

Word Origin for cajole

C17: from French cajoler to coax, of uncertain origin

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for cajole

cajole

1640s, from French cajoler "to cajole, wheedle, coax," perhaps a blend of Middle French cageoler "to chatter like a jay" (16c., from gajole, southern diminutive of geai "jay;" see jay (n.)), and Old French gaioler "to cage, entice into a cage" (see jail (n.)). Related: Cajoled; cajoling.

cajole

verb (used with or without object), ca·joled, ca·jol·ing.

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of cajole

Examples from the Web for cajole

British Dictionary definitions for cajole

cajole

verb

Word Origin for cajole

Word Origin and History for cajole

cajole