PERSUASIVE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does persuasive mean? 

• PERSUASIVE (adjective)
  The adjective PERSUASIVE has 1 sense:

1. intended or having the power to induce action or belief

  Familiarity information: PERSUASIVE used as an adjective is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• PERSUASIVE (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Intended or having the power to induce action or belief

Context example:

a persuasive argument

Similar:

coaxing; ingratiatory (pleasingly persuasive or intended to persuade)

cogent; telling; weighty (powerfully persuasive)

compelling (tending to persuade by forcefulness of argument)

glib; glib-tongued; smooth-tongued (artfully persuasive in speech)

Also:

convincing (causing one to believe the truth of something)

Antonym:

dissuasive (deterring from action)

Derivation:

persuade (cause somebody to adopt a certain position, belief, or course of action; twist somebody's arm)

persuade (win approval or support for)

persuasiveness (the power to induce the taking of a course of action or the embracing of a point of view by means of argument or entreaty)

 Context examples 

In they both came, Mrs. March with her usual question, Any letter from Father, girls? and Laurie to say in his persuasive way, Won't some of you come for a drive?

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

Surely, sir, said Alleyne, speaking in as persuasive and soothing a way as he could, if your birth is gentle, there is the more reason that your manners should be gentle too.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

"But what does that prove?" he asked, in a gentle, persuasive voice.

(The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

He is eloquent and persuasive, and once his words had even power over my heart; but trust him not.

(Frankenstein, by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley)

Pitch a new client, for on this day you will be persuasive and come across as reliable, strong, and realistic.

(AstrologyZone.com, by Susan Miller)

Her voice was soft and sweet, and persuasive at the first, but louder it rang and louder as it spoke of wrongs and freedom and the joys of death in a good cause, until it thrilled into my every nerve, and I asked nothing more than to run out of the cottage and to die then and there in the cause of my country.

(Rodney Stone, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

She was not pleased to see Julia excluded from the play, and sitting by disregarded; but as it was not a matter which really involved her happiness, as Henry must be the best judge of his own, and as he did assure her, with a most persuasive smile, that neither he nor Julia had ever had a serious thought of each other, she could only renew her former caution as to the elder sister, entreat him not to risk his tranquillity by too much admiration there, and then gladly take her share in anything that brought cheerfulness to the young people in general, and that did so particularly promote the pleasure of the two so dear to her.

(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)

No one could resist her persuasive nods, or the fragrant invitation issuing from the nose of the coffee pot.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

If you sell for a living or are in marketing, public relations, or TV production, you will be persuasive without being pushy, presenting your product or service in the best light, in a gentle but compelling way.

(AstrologyZone.com, by Susan Miller)

And Laurie folded his hands together with such and imploring gesture, as he spoke in his irresistibly persuasive tone, that it was impossible to frown upon him in spite of his scandalous behavior.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)