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Glite Dictionary
cajolingly

cajolingly

8.2
In a gentle, flattering way to persuade someone
  • adverb
  • /kəˈdʒoʊlɪŋli/
translation icon : con lisonja
  • "Sweetheart," he said cajolingly.

Examples

  • The mother cajolingly coaxed her child to eat the vegetables on his plate.

  • She spoke to her boss cajolingly, hoping to get a day off.

  • He smiled cajolingly at his friend, trying to convince him to join the trip.

Synonyms

persuasively
vscajolingly
7 3.7

In a way that convinces people to believe or do something

uses friendly flattery and gentle approach rather than logical reasons
coaxingly
vscajolingly
1 5.9

Gently and kindly to get someone to do something

is the same but can stress gentle tone more
doggishly
vscajolingly
9.1

In a way that is too eager to please someone

aims to persuade through gentle flattery rather than being merely servile

How Persuasive

cajolingly
8.2
flatteringly
1 4.6
coaxingly
1 5.9
gently
372 1.0

Surface Forms

cajolingly positive

Morphology

cajolingly = cajoling (transparent) = cajole + ing + ly

Formed by adding -ly to the participial/adjectival 'cajoling' to mean 'in a cajoling manner', a regular and predictable derivation for learners.

Etymology

Cajolingly comes from the verb cajole, from an old French word meaning 'to coax' or 'to flatter', and the ending -ly makes it an adverb. Think of it as gentle, sweet talk to get someone to do something, so cajolingly means 'in a way that gently persuades or flatters'.