Persuade, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Persuaded; p. pr. & vb. n. Persuading.]
Etymology: [L. persuadere, persuasum; per + suadere to advise, persuade: cf. F. persuader. See Per-, and Suasion.]
1. To influence or gain over by argument, advice, entreaty, expostulation, etc.; to draw or incline to a determination by presenting sufficient motives. Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian. Acts xxvi. 28. We will persuade him, be it possible. Shak.
2. To try to influence. [Obsolescent] Hearken not unto Hezekiah, when he persuadeth you. 2 Kings xviii. 32.
3. To convince by argument, or by reasons offered or suggested from reflection, etc.; to cause to believe. Beloved, we are persuaded better things of you. Heb. vi. 9.
4. To inculcate by argument or expostulation; to advise; to recommend. Jer. Taylor.
1 more senses
Syn. -- To convince; induce; prevail on; win over; allure; entice. See Convince.
2 other Webster entries under this spelling
Persuade, v. i.
To use persuasion; to plead; to prevail by persuasion. Shak.
Persuade, n.
Persuasion. [Obs.] Beau. & Fl.
Shades of meaning
Of these words convince alone has no direct reference to moving the will, denoting an effect upon the understanding only; one may be convinced of his duty without doing it, or he may be convinced of truth that has no manifest connection with duty or action, as of a mathematical proposition. To persuade is to bring the will of another to a desired decision by some influence exerted upon it short of compulsion; one may be convinced that the earth is round; he may be persuaded to travel round it; but persuasion is so largely dependent upon conviction that it is commonly held to be the orator's work first to convince in order that he may persuade. Coax is a slighter word than persuade, seeking the same end by shallower methods, largely by appeal to personal feeling, with or without success; as, a child coaxes a parent to buy him a toy. One may be brought over, induced, or prevailed upon by means not properly included in persuasion, as by bribery or intimidation; he is won over chiefly by personal influence. Compare influence.