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wheedle

[ weed-l, hweed-l ]
/ ˈwid l, ˈʰwid l /
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See synonyms for: wheedle / wheedled / wheedles / wheedling on Thesaurus.com
verb (used with object), whee·dled, whee·dling.
to endeavor to influence (a person) by smooth, flattering, or beguiling words or acts: We wheedled him incessantly, but he would not consent.
to persuade (a person) by such words or acts: She wheedled him into going with her.
to obtain (something) by artful persuasions: I wheedled a new car out of my father.
verb (used without object), whee·dled, whee·dling.
to use beguiling or artful persuasions: I always wheedle if I really need something.
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Origin of wheedle

First recorded in 1655–65; origin uncertain

OTHER WORDS FROM wheedle

whee·dler, nounwhee·dling·ly, adverbun·whee·dled, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Words related to wheedle

cajole, finagle, banter, blandish, charm, coax, con, court, draw, entice, flatter, inveigle, kowtow, oil, persuade, seduce, snow, soap, soft-soap, sweet-talk

How to use wheedle in a sentence

  • Wheedler or not, Robinette got her fire to dress by, and so was able to come down in the morning feeling tolerably warm.

    Robinetta|Kate Douglas Wiggin

  • Marianne shook her head, told him he was a wheedler, and went to fetch the cherries.

    Popular Tales|Madame Guizot

  • "Just hear this wheedler with her 'Nothing is impossible to you, M. de Maillefort,'" said the marquis, smiling.

    Pride|Eugne Sue

British Dictionary definitions for wheedle

wheedle
/ (ˈwiːdəl) /
verb
to persuade or try to persuade (someone) by coaxing words, flattery, etc
(tr) to obtain by coaxing and flatteryshe wheedled some money out of her father

Derived forms of wheedle

wheedler, nounwheedling, adjectivewheedlingly, adverb

Word Origin for wheedle

C17: perhaps from German wedeln to wag one's tail, from Old High German wedil, wadil tail
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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