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to convince

to convince

2.7
Make someone believe something is true or agree to do something
  • verb
  • /kənˈvɪns/
translation icon : convencer a
  • Somehow she managed to convince me that she was hungry.
  • try to convince
  • convince people
  • convince the public

And the guy is trying to convince him not to kill him.

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Examples

  • So how could you convince people that this was true?

  • But how would you convince a skeptic of that?

  • It's a matter of can we convince people to use them?

  • So maybe this one will also convince you to pick this book.

  • I must convince her to give me the ring.

  • I hope you can convince him to come out.

  • So your first question, how do we convince the older generations?

  • And she was able to convince Eleanor first.

  • You have to be able to convince other people, or it doesn't count.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • I hope you can convince him to join us for dinner.

Synonyms

to get
vsto convince
1.8

To cause someone to do something, often by persuading them

is focused more on causing belief as well as prompting action
to sell
vsto convince
978 2.0

To persuade someone to buy or accept something

is more general, not limited to commercial or sales contexts
to urge
vsto convince
591 3.2

To strongly encourage someone to do something

is broader, including convincing through reasons not only strong urging
to persuade
vsto convince
472 2.7

To make someone agree or do something by giving reasons

is identical in meaning but can stress belief or action equally
to talk into
vsto convince
236 3.0

Make someone agree to do something by giving reasons

focuses more on changing belief as well as prompting action
to sway
vsto convince
81 3.6

To cause someone to change their opinion or decision

is similar but focuses more directly on belief formation
to win over
vsto convince
54 3.3

Get someone to support or agree with you

is more general, covering belief change beyond personal support
to induce
vsto convince
51 4.9

Persuade someone to do something

stresses changing belief as well as prompting someone to act
to prevail
vsto convince
  • Formal
23 6.7

To persuade someone to do something after repeated effort

covers persuasion generally, not only cases needing repeated effort
to change someone's mind
vsto convince
18 3.0

Make someone think differently about something

is broader, covering both belief change and urging to act
to cajole
vsto convince
15 7.7

To persuade someone to do something by gentle talk and praise

is less focused on flattery and more on belief or reason
to prevail upon
vsto convince
4 7.7

To persuade someone who does not want to do something to do it

is broader, covering persuasion without the element of reluctance
to twist someone's arm
vsto convince
  • Informal
1 4.4

Get someone to agree or do something by pressuring them

covers persuasion without implying force or pressure
to put up to
vsto convince
  • Informal
1 6.8

To persuade someone to do something they would not do on their own

is more neutral, covering persuasion both for safe and risky acts
to bring round
vsto convince
  • UK
4.4

To persuade someone to accept your idea or plan

emphasizes bringing belief or choice around rather than gentle urging
to bend someone's will
vsto convince
7.1

Persuade someone to do what you want

is less about coercion and more about changing belief gently

Antonyms

35 6.0

To try to stop someone from doing something by talking to them

How Persuasive

to convert
131 4.5
to convince
2.7
to win over
54 3.3
to persuade
472 2.7
to encourage
2.3
to suggest
1.6

Surface Forms

convince infinitive
convinced past
convinced past participle
convincing present participle
convinces third person singular

Morphology

convince = con + vince

Although formed from the Latin elements con- + vinc(e), the root 'vince' is not a standalone English word and the segments do not transparently convey the modern meaning 'persuade' to an average B1 learner.

Etymology

The word convince comes from Latin parts con- 'together' and vincere 'to conquer'. So to convince someone is to 'overcome' their doubts and make them believe.