Persuasive Meaning
/pə(ɹ)ˈsweɪsɪv/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
adjAble to persuade; convincing.
nounThat which persuades; incitement.
Sentence Examples
Tom knew that Mary could be very persuasive.
I can be very persuasive.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
None
CEFR Practice Quiz
The politician's ____ speech used strong facts to win over the undecided voters.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The lawyer delivered a ____ closing argument that clearly swayed the jury in her client's favor.
Word Origin & History
From Middle French persuasif, from Medieval Latin persuāsīvus, from Latin past participle stem of persuādēre + -īvus.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"But I'm pretty persuasive, and I've learned how elected officials think. I know how to press their buttons."
— 2020 December 2, Andy Byford talks to Paul Clifton, “I enjoy really big challenges...”, in Rail, page 55:
"He smiled a very knowing smile, and setting up a halloo, and shaking his leathern thong, away we went at the rate of seven or eight miles an hour. I had no occasion to go further with my persuasives; the pace was kept up, […]"
— 1839, George Robert Gleig, Germany, Bohemia, and Hungary: Visited in 1837, volume 1, page 68:
Explore More B2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The politician's ____ speech used strong facts to win over the undecided voters.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The lawyer delivered a ____ closing argument that clearly swayed the jury in her client's favor.