cajole
Americanverb (used with or without object)
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cajoles,
present (3rd person singular)
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cajoled,
past participle, past
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cajoling
present participle
verb
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
cajolesimple
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cajolessimple
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have cajoledperfect
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has cajoledperfect
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am cajolingprogressive
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are cajolingprogressive
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is cajolingprogressive
-
have been cajolingperfect progressive
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has been cajolingperfect progressive
Past
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cajoledsimple
-
had cajoledperfect
-
was cajolingprogressive
-
were cajolingprogressive
-
had been cajolingperfect progressive
Future
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.
See Examples For:
It is possible the campaign could cajole China into doing more to pressure Iran, while avoiding a more direct confrontation between the world’s biggest economies.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 25, 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
“The US and Qatar can push, they can cajole, they can offer inducements, they can offer to help create the technical solutions,” says Chuck Freilich.
From BBC ● Aug. 15, 2024
The woman was pointing out the flowers and the leaves of the bushes in order to cajole the girl forward towards the building.
From "How the García Girls Lost Their Accents" by Julia Alvarez
It’s in one of these quiet moments that Timble gently cajoles Orris in the way only a good friend can.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 16, 2026
He rallies Ukrainians, calls attention to atrocities, thanks supporters and cajoles allies for aid.
From New York Times ● Dec. 31, 2022
He cajoles the new love of his life Molly to become his sidekick and go to the big city to find riches by performing a psychic act.
From Washington Times ● Apr. 1, 2022
The way Anita shifts tone, inflection, depending on to whom she’s speaking; the way she cajoles or scolds reveals much.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 26, 2022
This nearly cajoles me into thinking I should also know what Marv needs with the money.
From "I Am the Messenger" by Markus Zusak
Dyson eventually cajoled bottlers into signing revised contracts, giving Coca-Cola much more control over how its soft drinks were sold.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 8, 2026
No one should be cajoled into paying for a property that they never use and no longer wish to own.
From MarketWatch ● Feb. 5, 2026
Rinaudo cajoled a buddy to drive them up in his Volkswagen van one weekend.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 3, 2025
"Maybe it's the failure of Oslo that gave rise to the rather unconventional approach that Trump has taken, where he has short-circuited any sort of process and simply pressured and cajoled," Yacoubian said.
From Barron's ● Oct. 14, 2025
Many times he had to be carried or cajoled into continuing the journey.
From "Copper Sun" by Sharon M. Draper
“No amount of cajoling or liens will scare” the other owners who don’t pay, the former U.S.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 18, 2026
A Fed chair can’t change the world on his own; cajoling other Fed officials to back his views requires credibility, among other factors.
From Barron's ● Dec. 11, 2025
After some cajoling, the executive chef worked out a recipe, according to marketing director Ashley Tidman Noriega.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 24, 2025
The celebratory mood follows days of tense negotiations with Republican rebels in Congress and days of cajoling on Capitol Hill, sometimes by the president himself.
From BBC ● Jul. 4, 2025
Toward the end of the wake, Kendra overheard Mom cajoling Grandpa Sorenson to watch the kids.
From "Fablehaven" by Brandon Mull
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.
