COAX Synonyms: 46 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'coax' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of coax are blandish , cajole , soft-soap , and wheedle . While all these words mean "to influence or persuade by pleasing words or actions," coax implies gentle and persistent words or actions employed to produce a desired effect. // coaxed the cat out of the tree

Q: When could 'blandish' be used to replace 'coax'?

The meanings of blandish and coax largely overlap; however, blandish implies a more open desire to win a person over by effusive praise and affectionate actions. // legislators blandished with promises of support

Q: Where would 'cajole' be a reasonable alternative to 'coax'?

In some situations, the words cajole and coax are roughly equivalent. However, cajole suggests the deliberate use of flattery to persuade in the face of reluctance or reasonable objections. // cajoled him into cheating on the final exam

Q: When is it sensible to use 'soft-soap' instead of 'coax'?

Although the words soft-soap and coax have much in common, soft-soap refers to using smooth and somewhat insincere talk usually for personal gain. // politicians soft-soaping eligible voters

Q: In what contexts can 'wheedle' take the place of 'coax'?

The words wheedle and coax are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, wheedle suggests more strongly than cajole the use of seductive appeal or artful words in persuading. // hucksters wheedling her life's savings out of her

coax

verb

ˈkōks

Definition of coax

as in to cajole

to get (someone) to do something by gentle urging, special attention, or flattery trying to coax their father into taking them on a ski trip, the teens mentioned what a great skier he is

Synonyms & Similar Words

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How does the verb coax differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of coax are blandish, cajole, soft-soap, and wheedle. While all these words mean "to influence or persuade by pleasing words or actions," coax implies gentle and persistent words or actions employed to produce a desired effect.

coaxed the cat out of the tree

When could blandish be used to replace coax?

The meanings of blandish and coax largely overlap; however, blandish implies a more open desire to win a person over by effusive praise and affectionate actions.

legislators blandished with promises of support

Where would cajole be a reasonable alternative to coax?

In some situations, the words cajole and coax are roughly equivalent. However, cajole suggests the deliberate use of flattery to persuade in the face of reluctance or reasonable objections.

cajoled him into cheating on the final exam

When is it sensible to use soft-soap instead of coax?

Although the words soft-soap and coax have much in common, soft-soap refers to using smooth and somewhat insincere talk usually for personal gain.

politicians soft-soaping eligible voters

In what contexts can wheedle take the place of coax?

The words wheedle and coax are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, wheedle suggests more strongly than cajole the use of seductive appeal or artful words in persuading.

hucksters wheedling her life's savings out of her

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of coax The run game remains underwhelming, but if Quinn can coax his players toward gradual improvement and competitive performances in spite of their limitations, his job security could improve. — Mike Jones, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2026 Rescuers carefully coaxed the snake away from the home and boxed it up for relocation shortly after their arrival. — Kelli Bender, PEOPLE, 17 Sep. 2026 Energy from the sun helps reactions between those blocks along, coaxing them to form polymers, or longer chains of molecules. — Sarah Scoles, Scientific American, 15 Sep. 2026 Some analysts argue that the Obama administration set a hopeful precedent on AI cooperation by coaxing China to join the Paris Climate Agreement in 2016. — Andy Browne, semafor.com, 15 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for coax

Recent Examples of Synonyms for coax

Verb

But the Marlins plan to be moderately active in free agency — regardless of whether the owners succeed in cajoling the players to accept a salary cap and salary floor in what are expected to be contentious labor negotiations.

— Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 29 Sep. 2026
But Ridgeway pushes on, trying various means — flattery, insults, amateur psychology — to cajole her into delivering a new Ripley book.

— Damon Wise, Deadline, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of cajole

Verb

For film, the roadmap covers support for luring large-scale location shoots, backing for international co-productions built on Japanese IP and tougher anti-piracy measures.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 27 Oct. 2026
Bolsonaro made a tough-on-crime approach the cornerstone of his campaign and pledged to bring down food costs while Lula, trying to lure undecided voters, has invested in costly incentives.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of lure

Verb

Will Stewart be seduced into the path of corruption by using Sinestro’s emotionally tainted battery, or steel himself against ill influences and continue to blaze his own trail as Earth's sole protector for the time being?

— Jeff Spry, Space.com, 17 Oct. 2026
Armani’s languid silhouette soon seduced red- and blue-blooded men the world over.

— Robb Report, Robb Report, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of seduce

Verb

Emirates, which has nearly returned to its prewar capacity, is trying to entice more connecting travelers on long-haul flights to make a stop in Dubai.

— Mohammed Sergie, semafor.com, 22 Oct. 2026
The 17-year-old said there is a lot of peer pressure to vape, and the product flavors and designs are enticing for teens.

— Stephanie Stahl, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of entice

Verb

Chef Albert was a restaurateur trying to wheedle a good review out of a tough restaurant critic.

— Adam Harrington, CBS News, 1 Apr. 2026
In a bid to rekindle the couple’s honeymoon phase, Yasmin troubleshoots by wheedling a chief executive role for him at payment processing company Tender (run by Max Minghella‘s inscrutable puppet-master Whitney Halberstram), and throwing her husband a lavish costume party for his 40th birthday.

— Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 18 Jan. 2026

Definition of wheedle

Verb

Can wooing hitmakers help Netflix find its way back to dominance?

— Joel Mathis, TheWeek, 26 Oct. 2026
Head south of the border for a chilling crime documentary about José Luis Calva Zepeda, a poet and playwright in Mexico City who used his way with words to woo women.

— K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of woo

Verb

Two strategists close to Acton’s campaign, granted anonymity to discuss its internalassessment, urged caution about the more optimistic assessment of where the contest now stands.

— Teo Armus, Washington Post, 23 Oct. 2026
Trump has also told Kyiv to stop attacking Russian refineries and urged Ukrainians to replace Zelenskyy.

— Reuters, NBC news, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of urge

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“Coax.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/coax. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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