persuasion

American  

[per-swey-zhuhn] / pərˈsweɪ ʒən /

noun

1. the act of persuading or seeking to persuade.

2. the power of persuading; persuasive force.

3. the state or fact of being persuaded or convinced.

4. a deep conviction or belief.

5. a form or system of belief, especially religious belief.

   the Quaker persuasion.

6. a sect, group, or faction holding or advocating a particular belief, idea, ideology, etc..

   Several of the people present are of the socialist persuasion.

7. Facetious.  kind or sort.

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persuasion British  

/ pəˈsweɪʒən /

noun

1. the act of persuading or of trying to persuade

2. the power to persuade

3. the state of being persuaded; strong belief

4. an established creed or belief, esp a religious one

5. a sect, party, or faction

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Related Words

See advice.

Other Word Forms

• prepersuasion noun
• self-persuasion noun

Etymology

Origin of persuasion

First recorded in 1350–1400; late Middle English, from Latin persuāsiōn-, stem of persuāsiō; equivalent to per- + suasion; replacing Middle English persuacioun, from Middle French persuacion, from Latin, as above

Example Sentences

It was for similar reasons that cardinals of different persuasions were thought to have coalesced around him at conclave.

From BBC

Lang’s spare musical style of friendly persuasion obviously suits his beautiful text.

From Los Angeles Times

He keeps the GOP in line not through persuasion and horse-trading but by threats ranging from backing primary challenges to the implicit fear of violence.

From Salon

Fifty food vendors span the diverse offerings of L.A.’s food scene, both of the brick and mortar and truck persuasion.

From Los Angeles Times

Members of Congress — seemingly of all philosophies, persuasions and wings of the party — delivered that message in town halls, interviews, op-eds and on social media.

From Salon

Related Words

• belief
• creed
• denomination