coaxing

American  

[kohk-sing] / ˈkoʊk sɪŋ /

noun

1. the act of gently persuading, flattering, cajoling, etc., to influence someone to do something.

   There was a high-spirited stallion that no one dared to ride except Ken—after much coaxing by his companions.

2. the act of manipulating something to a desired end by adroit handling or persistent effort.

   It took some coaxing with the wheel puller and a hammer and chisel, but the brake drum is now off.

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adjective

1. using gentle persuasion, flattery, etc., to influence someone to do something; cajoling.

   In the pool is a coaxing parent, beckoning her timid offspring forward and ready to catch him when he jumps.

Other Word Forms

• coaxingly adverb
• half-coaxing adjective
• half-coaxingly adverb
• uncoaxing adjective

Etymology

Origin of coaxing

First recorded in 1670–80; coax ¹ + -ing ¹ for the noun senses; coax ¹ + -ing ² for the adjective sense

Example Sentences

"With a face full of resentment and helplessness, it really looks like an employee coaxing themselves to go to work," wrote one Weibo user.

From Barron's • Feb. 5, 2026

Like Ossa, Mamdani said he didn’t need any coaxing to agree to a cat.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 2, 2026

Some subjects need a lot of coaxing and direction.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 23, 2025

Each ingredient, from blistered tomatoes to the brined treasures of the olive bar, is layered with intention, coaxing depth from pantry staples while keeping the cooking simple and approachable.

From Salon • Dec. 18, 2025

Stella kept coaxing her forward, then pulled the girl into her arms.

From "Stella by Starlight" by Sharon M. Draper

Related Words

• bait
• come-on
• inducement
• sweetener