coax

[ kohks ]

/ koʊks /

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See synonyms for: coax / coaxed / coaxes / coaxing on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object)

to attempt to influence by gentle persuasion, flattery, etc.; cajole: He coaxed her to sing, but she refused.

to obtain by coaxing: We coaxed the secret from him.

to manipulate to a desired end by adroit handling or persistent effort: He coaxed the large chair through the door.

Obsolete.

to fondle.
to fool; deceive.

verb (used without object)

to use gentle persuasion.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of coax

1580–90; v. use of cokes fool (now obsolete), perhaps variant of coxcomb

OTHER WORDS FROM coax

coax·er, nounun·coaxed, adjective

Other definitions for coax (2 of 2)

coax²

[ koh-aks, koh-aks ]

/ koʊˈæks, ˈkoʊ æks /

noun Electricity.

coaxial cable.

Origin of coax

First recorded in 1945–50; by shortening

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use coax in a sentence

While Edwards has the potential to be an all-star caliber scoring talent, Minnesota will need to coax more consistent production and better defensive focus from the Atlanta native.
On quiet night for NBA draft lottery selections, Anthony Edwards goes No. 1 to Timberwolves|Ben Golliver, Des Bieler|November 19, 2020|Washington Post
Since service-sector jobs now mean a higher chance of infection, even greater pay isn’t coaxing workers into the kitchen.
Starbucks gives baristas a 10% raise|Claire Zillman, reporter|November 19, 2020|Fortune
It led me to think I had to capture a bush to retrieve my prey within when, in fact, this is where a Bugsnax hides in protection until you coax it out.
‘Bugsnax’ is charming and funny, but sapped by vexing gameplay|Harold Goldberg|November 9, 2020|Washington Post
Tomlin coaxed tremendous production from both players, and once they left Pittsburgh, the difficulty of managing them was fully revealed.
After their foundation appeared shaken, the Steelers emerged as one of the NFL’s best|Adam Kilgore|October 30, 2020|Washington Post

For most people, it’s enough, especially if you only need the coax for one that one remote corner of your house.
Ethernet and a mesh network will permanently solve your WiFi issues|Whitson Gordon|October 16, 2020|Popular-Science
When Collins coaxed him back, the folk audience loved him even more.
Excuse Me For Not Dying: Leonard Cohen at 80|David Yaffe|September 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He even set the mic down before his time was up, he only finished after being coaxed back onto the stage by Sway.
America’s Poets: Battle Rap Gets Real|Rich Goldstein|July 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The two strapping marshals behind him looked plenty strong enough to have coaxed him to his feet if he had decided otherwise.
9/11 Manhattan Murder Is No Mystery Thanks to Bin Laden Kin Trial|Michael Daly|March 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It would be great if Republicans could be coaxed to sign on to one or more of these efforts.
October Jobs Report Is Bad News for American Economic Declinists|Daniel Gross|November 8, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Samantha Geimer was 13 years old when famed director Roman Polanski coaxed her into having sex during a photo shoot.
The Roman Polanski ‘Girl’ Speaks Out: Speedreading Samantha Geimer’s Memoir|Thomas Flynn|September 12, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Why, I coaxed even dad over to camp once and I've always wanted Helena to go.
Dorothy at Skyrie|Evelyn Raymond
Maloney collapsed visibly, and I gathered the wood over the fire and coaxed up a blaze.
Three More John Silence Stories|Algernon Blackwood
Then I coaxed her and told her how much more it would mean to the poor ones, like myself, than it possibly could to those others.
Dorothy at Skyrie|Evelyn Raymond
Then the drug was coaxed between the stricken man's teeth, and presently he opened his eyes once more.
The Weight of the Crown|Fred M. White
He was a skittish horse, gentle, as Andy explained, but "pow'ful nervous—had to be sort o' coaxed along."
The Outdoor Girls in the Saddle|Laura Lee Hope

British Dictionary definitions for coax (1 of 2)

coax¹

/ (kəʊks) /

verb

to seek to manipulate or persuade (someone) by tenderness, flattery, pleading, etc

(tr) to obtain by persistent coaxing

(tr) to work on or tend (something) carefully and patiently so as to make it function as one desireshe coaxed the engine into starting

(tr) obsolete to caress

(tr) obsolete to deceive

Derived forms of coax

coaxer, nouncoaxingly, adverb

Word Origin for coax

C16: verb formed from obsolete noun cokes fool, of unknown origin

British Dictionary definitions for coax (2 of 2)

coax²

/ (ˈkəʊæks) /

noun

short for coaxial cable

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

coax

Origin of coax

OTHER WORDS FROM coax

Other definitions for coax (2 of 2)

Origin of coax

Words related to coax

How to use coax in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for coax (1 of 2)

Derived forms of coax

Word Origin for coax

British Dictionary definitions for coax (2 of 2)