suasion

1 of 3

noun (1)

sua·​sion ˈswā-zhən How to pronounce suasion (audio)
Synonyms of suasionnext
: the act of influencing or persuading
suasive
ˈswā-siv How to pronounce suasion (audio)
-ziv
adjective
suasively adverb
suasiveness noun

suasive

2 of 3

adjective

sua·​sive ˈswās|iv How to pronounce suasive (audio)
|ēv also -āz| or |əv
: tending to persuade : having a capacity for persuading : persuasive
a suasive speaker
suasive eloquence
suasively
|ə̇vlē, 
-li
adverb
suasiveness
|ivnə̇s, 
|ēv- also |əv-
noun
plural -es

suasive

3 of 3

noun (2)

"
plural -s
: something (such as a force, speech, or influence) that exerts a suasive effect

Synonyms of suasion

Relevance

Noun (1)

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of suasion in a Sentence

Noun (1) a defense lawyer uses not only legal arguments but also moral suasion to appeal to a jury's sense of right and wrong
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.
Noun
In some circumstances, moral suasion can also be effective. — John Cassidy, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2026 To that end, an objection by an athlete who is a class member and who stands to lose out from the settlement’s approval will likely have suasion. — Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 7 Feb. 2025 All that remains may be the power of public suasion, but Gilead hasn’t demonstrated much sensitivity to such pressure. — Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2026 In this newest cover-up, Clooney repeats his film’s original failing — its nostalgic salute to the power of electronic media suasion. — Armond White, National Review, 30 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for suasion

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English, from Latin suasion-, suasio, from suadēre to urge, persuade — more at sweet

Adjective

Latin suasus (past participle) + English -ive

First Known Use

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of suasion was in the 14th century

Rhymes for suasion

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Browse Nearby Words

suasible
suasion
suasive
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Suasion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/suasion. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

suasion

noun
sua·​sion ˈswā-zhən How to pronounce suasion (audio)
: the act of influencing or persuading
moral suasion
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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