wheedling
1
7.8
- noun
- /ˈwiːdəlɪŋ/
:
lisonja
- Now he was one of the false allies, a wheedling, plausible man, who had been—one sensed—handsome in his youth and was still in the habit of behaving seductively.
- wheedling voice
- wheedling tone
Examples
-
Sophie used her wheedling charm to convince her parents to let her stay out late.
-
Sid's slow, soft, wheedling salesman voice, the roast and onion smell on his breath, and sometimes, hushing him, she'd take it in her hands.
Fiction book (1991) -
Josh's blue eyes were pleading as he looked up at Joe, and there was a wheedling note in his voice.
Fiction book (2001) -
Martin replied in Arabic, the wheedling whine of a supplicant who speaks to a superior.
Fiction book (1994) -
Appetite for Destruction was released, and it took another wheedling phone call from Geffen to a friend at MTV to get them any airplay.
Blog text (15) -
In that nervy way of hers, whenever she gets a crack at him, Sophie opens him up with wheedling and pestering, and gets what she wants.
Fiction book (2001) -
Their wheedling, whispery voices swirl when I carry my half-full garbage can to the corner or take one bowl and one spoon from the cupboard for dinner.
Fiction book (2000) -
At home, there was the bustle of baths and teeth brushing, evening wheedling and tears, and the shush of pajama feet on linoleum.
Fiction book (1995) -
He did not seem to mind the wheedling patter of Thandeka, who winked and gesticulated behind his back in comment on his infirmity and pride in his progress.
Fiction book (1994) -
His wheedling approach made it hard for her to say no to his request.
Synonyms
10
4.1
Encouragement from someone who keeps asking you to do something
5
4.4
Gentle persuasion using praise or kind words to get someone to do something
3
4.3
Flattering words that try to persuade someone but are not sincere
2
9.8
A friendly compliment meant to persuade someone to do something
1
8.4
Gentle praise and kind words used to get someone to do something
1
7.6
Insincere praise used to try to influence someone
1
3.9
To convince someone with kind words or calm actions
Trying to make someone like you by saying nice things or doing favors
Words from a coach or friend that encourage someone to try something
A habit of flattering and obeying a person in power to gain favor
How Persuasive
Surface Forms
Morphology
Etymology
Wheedling comes from the verb wheedle, which means 'to persuade by gentle flattery'. A helpful way to remember it is to imagine a soft, repeated 'whee' or whisper of praise that slowly convinces someone, so wheedling is gentle, persistent persuading.