persuasive
Americanadjective
noun
adjective
Other Word Forms
- nonpersuasive adjective
- nonpersuasively adverb
- nonpersuasiveness noun
- persuasively adverb
- persuasiveness noun
- prepersuasive adjective
- unpersuasive adjective
- unpersuasively adverb
- unpersuasiveness noun
Etymology
Origin of persuasive
First recorded in 1580–90, persuasive is from the Medieval Latin word persuāsīvus. See persuasible, -ive
Explanation
If you are persuasive, then you have a knack for getting people to do things. Your most persuasive friend might be able to talk you into riding in a hot air balloon despite your fear of heights. People can be persuasive by using emotion or logic. A persuasive encyclopedia salesman might lead you to believe you'll be a smarter person with your own complete set of reference books. Temptations can also be persuasive. If your mom offers you ten dollars to walk her dog, you might find her offer very persuasive. Persuasive can be tricky to spell — remember that the u sounds like a w.
Vocabulary lists containing persuasive
TEKS ELAR Academic Vocabulary List (5th-7th grades)
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The SAT: Words to Capture Tone, List 5
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The New SAT: Words to Capture Tone
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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.
Its persuasive power seems more aimed at appealing to the sensibilities of the justices who, one could assume, wouldn’t want to hand over their papers, more than a real legal argument.
From Slate • Apr. 9, 2026
Although they can generate fluent and persuasive responses, they often struggle to reason through complicated questions.
From Science Daily • Mar. 17, 2026
What do arguments in favor of mass demolition miss, and why are they persuasive anyway?
From Salon • Mar. 6, 2026
In the second half of the 19th Century, photography became one of the British Empire's most persuasive instruments for knowing - and classifying - India.
From BBC • Feb. 20, 2026
So I focused all my persuasive powers on my mom.
From "Courage to Soar" by Simone Biles
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.
