wheedle
Americanverb (used with object)
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to endeavor to influence (a person) by smooth, flattering, or beguiling words or acts.
We wheedled him incessantly, but he would not consent.
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to persuade (a person) by such words or acts.
She wheedled him into going with her.
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to obtain (something) by artful persuasions.
I wheedled a new car out of my father.
verb (used without object)
verb
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to persuade or try to persuade (someone) by coaxing words, flattery, etc
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(tr) to obtain by coaxing and flattery
she wheedled some money out of her father
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of wheedle
First recorded in 1655–65; origin uncertain
Explanation
To wheedle is to sweet talk, or flatter someone in the hopes of getting something in return. You might try to wheedle a meter maid into not giving you a parking ticket. Good luck with that. If you want your parents to do something for you that they don’t want to do, you may have to wheedle them with breakfast in bed and a shower of compliments in order to get what you want. To wheedle someone is to “charm” that person, though it’s a little more on the “suck up to” side than it is charming. The teacher’s pet might try to wheedle her way into a better grade.
Vocabulary lists containing wheedle
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The Glass Castle
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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.
A mosquito spots the eminent man and zooms over to wheedle in his ear, but Bashō remains immobile.
From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 9, 2025
Even as ex-mayor, it tickled Dick that he could wheedle an author into joining us.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 23, 2023
The arsonists wheedle their way into his house with a combination of servile pleading, subtle bullying and appeals to Biedermann’s moral vanity.
From Seattle Times • Dec. 14, 2022
Leibovich is, more subtly, a brilliant interviewer able to wheedle not-quite-admissions from his subjects, who give him all the access in the world.
From Washington Post • Jul. 10, 2022
He also didn’t argue or wheedle or cajole or ratchet the charm way up.
From "The Glass Castle" by Jeannette Walls
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.
