coax

¹

[ kohks ]

verb (used with object)

1. to influence or persuade to do something by gentle urging, smooth talk, flattery, etc.:

   He tried to coax her to sing, but she refused.

2. to obtain by coaxing:

   We coaxed the secret from him.

3. to manipulate to a desired end by adroit handling or persistent effort:

   He coaxed the large chair through the door.

4. Obsolete.
   1. to fondle.
   2. to fool; deceive.

verb (used without object)

1. to use gentle persuasion.

coax

²

[ koh-aks, koh-aks ]

noun

, Electricity.

1. coaxial cable.

coax

¹

/ kəʊks /

verb

1. to seek to manipulate or persuade (someone) by tenderness, flattery, pleading, etc
2. tr to obtain by persistent coaxing
3. tr to work on or tend (something) carefully and patiently so as to make it function as one desires

   he coaxed the engine into starting

4. obsolete.
   tr to caress
5. obsolete.
   tr to deceive

coax

²

/ ˈkəʊæks /

noun

1. short for coaxial cable

Derived Forms

• ˈcoaxer, noun
• ˈcoaxingly, adverb

Other Words From

• coax·er noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of coax¹

First recorded in 1580–90; verb use of obsolete cokes “fool,” perhaps variant of coxcomb ( def )

Origin of coax²

First recorded in 1945–50; by shortening

Word History and Origins

Origin of coax¹

C16: verb formed from obsolete noun cokes fool, of unknown origin

Example Sentences

In the wake of Donald Trump's devastating win last week, Democrats have fallen back on an old habit and are now trying to coax better behavior out of Republicans.

From Salon

But even as the grassroots organizing dynamo hustles to get out the vote this year, she is not sure she and other Black and brown organizers can coax and inspire enough voters to the polls to deliver another win for Democrats.

From Los Angeles Times

“I walked a fine line, trying to coax her to come back, but also let her have her freedom,” Thompson said.

From Los Angeles Times

Despite the earlier US attempts to rein in the Israeli leader and coax Hezbollah to a truce, Mr Netanyahu has signalled strongly that he will act as he sees fit, whatever the pressure from Washington.

From BBC

He described her eventual capture on 20 September as "a bit of a hairy situation", with rescuers wading into a pond to coax her into a cage.

From BBC

Related Words

• cajole
• entice
• induce
• tease
• tempt
• wheedle