persuasion

American  

[per-swey-zhuhn] / pərˈsweɪ ʒən /

noun

1. the act of persuading or seeking to persuade.

2. the power of persuading; persuasive force.

3. the state or fact of being persuaded or convinced.

4. a deep conviction or belief.

5. a form or system of belief, especially religious belief.

   the Quaker persuasion.

6. a sect, group, or faction holding or advocating a particular belief, idea, ideology, etc..

   Several of the people present are of the socialist persuasion.

7. Facetious. kind or sort.

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persuasion British  

/ pəˈsweɪʒən /

noun

1. the act of persuading or of trying to persuade

2. the power to persuade

3. the state of being persuaded; strong belief

4. an established creed or belief, esp a religious one

5. a sect, party, or faction

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Related Words

See advice.

Other Word Forms

• prepersuasion noun
• self-persuasion noun

Etymology

Origin of persuasion

First recorded in 1350–1400; late Middle English, from Latin persuāsiōn-, stem of persuāsiō; equivalent to per- + suasion; replacing Middle English persuacioun, from Middle French persuacion, from Latin, as above

Example Sentences

America has to find a way to restart diplomacy, using soft power and persuasion more often than the blunt force of tariffs or threat of conflict with key partners.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 10, 2026

"Support must come through dialogue and persuasion, never through pressure or attacks among allies," said Jair Bolsonaro.

From Barron's • Mar. 1, 2026

The conductor chose one of the least known, the First, to which he and the orchestra brought irresistible persuasion.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 14, 2026

These small and persistent acts of persuasion appear to have worked.

From BBC • Dec. 28, 2025

Howard recognized Vanderbilt’s tremendous influence and powers of persuasion, and knew that Pimlico needed his horse.

From "Seabiscuit: An American Legend" by Laura Hillenbrand

Related Words

• belief
• creed
• denomination