persuasive

[per-swey-siv, -ziv]

adjective

1. able, fitted, or intended to persuade.

   a very persuasive argument.

   Synonyms: forceful, compelling, convincing

noun

1. something that persuades; inducement.

persuasive

/ pəˈsweɪsɪv /

adjective

1. having the power or ability to persuade; tending to persuade

   a persuasive salesman

Other Word Forms

• persuasively adverb
• persuasiveness noun
• nonpersuasive adjective
• nonpersuasively adverb
• nonpersuasiveness noun
• prepersuasive adjective
• unpersuasive adjective
• unpersuasively adverb
• unpersuasiveness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of persuasive¹

First recorded in 1580–90, persuasive is from the Medieval Latin word persuāsīvus. See persuasible, -ive

Example Sentences

He is persuasive that “ideas about slavery permeated early-modern English culture,” and that the development of American slavery was not “a simple function of material interests.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

These companies use low cost ingredients, large-scale production methods, and highly persuasive marketing to encourage widespread consumption.

Read more on Science Daily

After Pericles’ death from plague in 429 B.C., rhetorical and political authority is seized by Cleon, an upstart demagogue who is the “most violent person in Athens” and “the most persuasive.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

To minimise the prospect of parliamentary opposition, Mahmood has been meeting groups of Labour MPs in recent weeks to make what her allies call "the persuasive moral case for reform".

Read more on BBC

And his portraits convey persuasive presences reminiscent of Goya.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• alluring 
• cogent 
• compelling 
• conclusive 
• convincing 
• credible 
• effective 
• eloquent 
• energetic 
• forceful 
• impressive 
• influential 
• inspiring www.thesaurus.com
• logical 
• plausible 
• potent 
• powerful 
• valid