wheedle

American  

[hweed-l, weed-l] / ˈʰwid l, ˈwid l /

verb (used with object)

wheedled, wheedling

1. to endeavor to influence (a person) by smooth, flattering, or beguiling words or acts.

   We wheedled him incessantly, but he would not consent.

   Synonyms:

   coax, cajole, flatter

2. to persuade (a person) by such words or acts.

   She wheedled him into going with her.

3. to obtain (something) by artful persuasions.

   I wheedled a new car out of my father.

   Synonyms:

   inveigle, beguile

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verb (used without object)

wheedled, wheedling

1. to use beguiling or artful persuasions.

   I always wheedle if I really need something.

wheedle British  

/ ˈwiːdəl /

verb

1. to persuade or try to persuade (someone) by coaxing words, flattery, etc

2. (tr) to obtain by coaxing and flattery

   she wheedled some money out of her father

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Other Word Forms

• unwheedled adjective
• wheedler noun
• wheedling adjective
• wheedlingly adverb

Etymology

Origin of wheedle

First recorded in 1655–65; origin uncertain

Example Sentences

A mosquito spots the eminent man and zooms over to wheedle in his ear, but Bashō remains immobile.

From The Wall Street Journal

He’s always looking to learn something, whether it’s from someone or just the cracks in their armor or the information he can wheedle out of somebody.

From Los Angeles Times

Then, at his busiest, with a wife and three children impatiently waiting at home, he wheedled Mel Brooks for a cameo in “Young Frankenstein.”

From Los Angeles Times

Ask any nerd who wheedled her parents for a little more cash to buy books: What you get from Scholastic is what your parents are willing to buy you.

From Salon

He wheedled money from the city for more cops, more police stations, more equipment, and he made nice with community organizations.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• cajole
• finagle