persuasion

The act or ability of getting someone to agree or do something through reasons or encouragement.

• It took some persuasion to get him outside.
• Her powers of persuasion impressed everyone.
• Gentle persuasion worked better than threats.

Similar words: convincing

Common phrases: power of persuasion, gentle persuasion, persuasion skills, through persuasion

A set of religious or political beliefs that someone follows.

• People of every religious persuasion attended.
• Her political persuasion differs from mine.
• Voters of all persuasions supported the proposal.

How to use it: of a particular persuasion (People of every political persuasion joined the debate.)

Similar words: faith, creed

Common phrases: political persuasion, religious persuasion, of any persuasion

An opinion or belief that someone holds strongly.

• It was his persuasion that honesty always wins.
• She expressed her firm persuasion about the matter.
• My persuasion remained unchanged despite their objections.

How to use it: persuasion that… (It was her persuasion that the plan would succeed.)

Similar words: conviction, belief

Opposites: doubt

Common phrases: firm persuasion, my persuasion, persuasion that something