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

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

cajole

verb

Word Origin for cajole

cajole