Word
persuasive
Phoneticsper·sua·sive, stress on the second syllable
US/pɝˈsweɪsɪv/
UK/pəswˈeɪsɪv/
Definitions
01convincing
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. good at making you believe that something is true or making you want to do something.
adj. having the power or ability to convince someone to believe or do something through reasoning or use of temptation.
“The salesman gave a very persuasive speech about why we needed a new car.”
“The lawyer presented a persuasive argument that relied heavily on forensic evidence rather than emotional appeals to the jury.”
Usage
Commonly modifies nouns like 'argument', 'speech', 'evidence', or 'person'.
Synonyms
Antonyms
02an incentive
C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Formal · Technical
n. something that encourages or pushes you to act.
n. a thing that persuades or provides an incitement to action.
“The promise of a bonus acted as a persuasive for the staff to work harder.”
“In classical rhetoric, the orator must identify the specific persuasives that will resonate most deeply with a skeptical audience.”
Teaching tip
This noun sense is extremely rare in modern English; learners should almost always use 'persuasive' as an adjective.
Antonyms
Real-World Examples
“Although his words don’t survive today, he must have been quite persuasive because he was acquitted and released.” “The court found none of these arguments persuasive.” Etymology
From Middle French persuasif, from Medieval Latin persuāsīvus, from Latin past participle stem of persuādēre + -īvus.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
- 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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englishreference.com/q/persuasive