suasion
noun
sua·sion ˈswā-zhən 
: the act of influencing or persuading
suasive
ˈswā-siv
adjective -ziv
suasively adverb
suasiveness noun
Synonyms
- conversion
- convincing
- inducement
- inducing
- persuading
- persuasion
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
a defense lawyer uses not only legal arguments but also moral suasion to appeal to a jury's sense of right and wrong
Recent Examples on the Web The goal isn’t just Oscars on a mantelpiece but emotional suasion, manipulating our gullibility and trust. 
Armond White, National Review, 6 July 2022 Neither reason nor moral suasion can deter Wanda from her dastardly mission; thus Strange, his longtime ally Wong (Benedict Wong), Christine, and America herself have no choice but to challenge the all-powerful sorceress in cataclysmic combat. Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 10 May 2022 English missionaries, seeing the practice as heathen, tried moral suasion. Jeff Chu, Travel + Leisure, 30 Jan. 2022 France presents a contrast, in that President Emmanuel Macron has used more suasion. Compiled Democrat-gazette Staff From Wire Reports, Arkansas Online, 23 Nov. 2021 France presents a contrast, in that President Emmanuel Macron has used more suasion. Compiled Democrat-gazette Staff From Wire Reports, Arkansas Online, 23 Nov. 2021 France presents a contrast, in that President Emmanuel Macron has used more suasion. Compiled Democrat-gazette Staff From Wire Reports, Arkansas Online, 23 Nov. 2021 France presents a contrast, in that President Emmanuel Macron has used more suasion. Compiled Democrat-gazette Staff From Wire Reports, Arkansas Online, 23 Nov. 2021 France presents a contrast, in that President Emmanuel Macron has used more suasion. Compiled Democrat-gazette Staff From Wire Reports, Arkansas Online, 23 Nov. 2021 See More
Armond White, National Review, 6 July 2022 Neither reason nor moral suasion can deter Wanda from her dastardly mission; thus Strange, his longtime ally Wong (Benedict Wong), Christine, and America herself have no choice but to challenge the all-powerful sorceress in cataclysmic combat. Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 10 May 2022 English missionaries, seeing the practice as heathen, tried moral suasion. Jeff Chu, Travel + Leisure, 30 Jan. 2022 France presents a contrast, in that President Emmanuel Macron has used more suasion. Compiled Democrat-gazette Staff From Wire Reports, Arkansas Online, 23 Nov. 2021 France presents a contrast, in that President Emmanuel Macron has used more suasion. Compiled Democrat-gazette Staff From Wire Reports, Arkansas Online, 23 Nov. 2021 France presents a contrast, in that President Emmanuel Macron has used more suasion. Compiled Democrat-gazette Staff From Wire Reports, Arkansas Online, 23 Nov. 2021 France presents a contrast, in that President Emmanuel Macron has used more suasion. Compiled Democrat-gazette Staff From Wire Reports, Arkansas Online, 23 Nov. 2021 France presents a contrast, in that President Emmanuel Macron has used more suasion. Compiled Democrat-gazette Staff From Wire Reports, Arkansas Online, 23 Nov. 2021 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English, from Latin suasion-, suasio, from suadēre to urge, persuade — more at sweet
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined above
suasion
noun
as in convincing
the act of reasoning or pleading with someone to accept a belief or course of action a defense lawyer uses not only legal arguments but also moral suasion to appeal to a jury's sense of right and wrong Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- convincing
- persuasion
- conversion
- inducement
- persuading
- inducing
- lobbying
- seduction
- coaxing
- entreaty
- cajolery
- exhortation
- blandishment
- pressuring
- urging
- influencing
- wheedling
- swaying
- tempting
- prompting
- brainwashing
- cajolement
- overpersuasion