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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/
: 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 disabuse
vsto unconvince
  • Formal
8 8.8

To show someone that a belief they have is wrong

causes belief to end without requiring active persuasion
to disillusion
vsto unconvince
4 6.4

To make someone realize that something they believed is not true

ends belief in any held idea, not only admired ideals
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
1 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
57 4.5
to unconvince
1 9.0
to undermine
304 6.8
to cast doubt
23 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.