Word
persuasion
Phoneticsper·sua·sion, stress on the second syllable
US/pɝˈsweɪʒən/
UK/pəswˈeɪʒən/
Definitions
01the act of convincing
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun
n. the act of trying to make someone believe or do something by giving them good reasons.
n. the process of convincing someone to adopt a particular belief or course of action through argument or reasoning.
“It took a lot of persuasion to get him to come to the party.”
“The marketing team relied on subtle psychological persuasion rather than aggressive sales tactics to build long-term brand loyalty.”
Usage
Often used with the verb 'take' or 'require'.
Synonyms
Antonyms
02a belief or creed
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Formal
n. a particular set of religious or political beliefs that a person follows.
n. a specific religious adherence, creed, or school of thought.
“People of all religious persuasions were invited to the community meeting.”
“The conference brought together scholars of various political persuasions to debate the future of international trade agreements.”
Usage
Commonly used in the plural or in the phrase 'of a [adjective] persuasion'.
03a type or kind
C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Humorous · Informal
n. a funny way to talk about a type of person, such as their job or gender.
n. a humorous or euphemistic way to refer to a person's gender, profession, or nature.
“I don't usually get along with people of the artistic persuasion.”
“The club was mostly frequented by gentlemen of the sporting persuasion who spent their weekends at the races.”
Teaching tip
This sense is often used to add a playful or slightly old-fashioned tone to a description of someone's identity.
Real-World Examples
“A whitewater rafting group brings people of different political persuasions together to talk and paddle.” “Persuasion, the process of altering someone’s belief, position or opinion on a specific matter, is pervasive in human affairs and a widely studied topic in the social sciences.” “By revealing the shallowness of their existing understanding, you can begin the process of persuasion.” “In other words, it was only due to her constant arguments and persuasions that her opponents would improve themselves and their views.” Etymology
From French persuasion and its source, Latin persuāsiō, from persuādēre, from suādēre (“to advise, recommend”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
In Literature
Cover: Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons — Unknown authorUnknown author.
Persuasion · 1817-01-01 · Romantic fiction
- Author:
- Jane Austen
Jane Austen’s final completed novel follows Anne Elliot, a woman who was once talked out of marrying the man she loved by a cautious family friend. Eight years later, the story explores whether the protagonist will remain influenced by the opinions of others or follow her own heart when her former suitor returns. The title highlights how social pressure and the advice of others can shape a person's life-altering decisions.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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