persuade

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per·suade / pərˈswād/ • v. [tr.] cause (someone) to do something through reasoning or argument: it wasn't easy, but I persuaded him to do the right thing. ∎  [tr.] cause (someone) to believe something, esp. after a sustained effort; convince: they must often be persuaded of the potential severity of their drinking problems | [tr.] he did everything he could to persuade the police that he was the robber. ∎  (of a situation or event) provide a sound reason for (someone) to do something: the cost of the manor's restoration persuaded them to take in guests.DERIVATIVES: per·suad·a·bil·i·ty / -ˌswādəˈbilitē/ n.per·suad·a·ble / -əbəl/ adj.per·sua·si·ble / -ˈswāzəbəl/ adj.