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Glite Dictionary
to unconvince

to unconvince

1 9.0
Make someone stop believing something they used to think
  • verb
  • /ʌn.kənˈvɪns/
translation icon : desconvencer
  • I mean, I'd have to unconvince them, get them to admit they were wrong.

Examples

  • And if the captain's convinced, there ain't nobody that can unconvince him.

    The Killing (1956)

  • He tried to unconvince his friends that the movie was good, but they loved it.

  • The evidence was so strong that I couldn't unconvince her of her original belief.

  • It is difficult to unconvince someone once they have formed a strong opinion.

Synonyms

to disillusion
vsto unconvince
18 6.4

To make someone realize that something they believed is not true

ends belief in any held idea, not only admired ideals
to disabuse
vsto unconvince
  • Formal
7 8.8

To show someone that a belief they have is wrong

causes belief to end without requiring active persuasion
disillusioning
vsto unconvince
2 6.7

Making someone see that something is not as good as it seemed

removes belief without focusing mainly on disappointment
to disenchant
vsto unconvince
2 7.1

Make someone stop believing an idea that is not true or realistic

applies to stopping belief generally, not only dreamy ideas
to undeceive
vsto unconvince
1 9.9

Make someone stop believing something false

stops belief more generally rather than only after deception

Antonyms

to convince
∞ 2.7

Make someone believe something is true or agree to do something

How Persuasive

to disprove
66 4.5
to unconvince
1 9.0
to undermine
270 6.8
to cast doubt
17 4.6
to suggest
∞ 1.6

Surface Forms

unconvince infinitive
unconvinced past
unconvinced past participle
unconvincing present participle
unconvinces third person singular

Morphology

unconvince = convince (transparent) = un + convince

A straightforward reversal of the verb 'convince' using the productive prefix 'un-', so the meaning is predictable to learners who know 'convince'.

Etymology

Unconvince joins the prefix un- meaning 'remove' and convince meaning 'make someone believe'. So to unconvince someone is to 'remove a belief' — like taking down the reasons that once made them sure, which causes them to stop accepting an idea.