convince

verb

con·​vince kən-ˈvin(t)s How to pronounce convince (audio)
convinced; convincing
Synonyms of convince

transitive verb

1
: to bring (as by argument) to belief, consent, or a course of action : persuade
… convinced himself that she was all right …—William Faulkner
something I could never convince him to read—John Lahr
2
obsolete
a
: to overcome by argument
b
: overpower, overcome
3
obsolete : demonstrate, prove
convincer noun

Synonyms of convince

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Examples of convince in a Sentence

He convinced me that the story was true. They convinced us of their innocence. I managed to convince myself that I was doing the right thing. We convinced them to go along with our scheme. I was unable to convince her to stay.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
One option could be convincing Costco to keep some of the products and services that are on the chopping block. — Dylan Lysen, Kansas City Star, 8 July 2026 Ross will be helping select and convince audience members to join her in the show, wandering the aisles to chat as patrons first file in. — ABC News, 7 July 2026 But joining the Nasdaq index has done little to convince critics, who are dubious about the lofty aims of the company. — Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 8 July 2026 That’s the version of reading we’d like more kids to fall in love with – before school, however well meaning, might convince them that fun and learning have to live in different places. — Michelle Kearney, The Conversation, 7 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for convince

Word History

Etymology

Latin convincere to refute, convict, prove, from com- + vincere to conquer — more at victor

First Known Use

1530, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of convince was in 1530

Rhymes for convince

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Browse Nearby Words

convictor
convince
convincement
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Convince.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/convince. Accessed 10 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

convince

verb
con·​vince kən-ˈvin(t)s How to pronounce convince (audio)
convinced; convincing
: to make a person agree or believe by arguing or showing evidence
convinced me it was true
convincer noun

More from Merriam-Webster on convince

Nglish: Translation of convince for Spanish Speakers

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