blandishment

/'blændiʃmənt/

Thân thiện

The salesperson used blandishment to charm the customer.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • The act of using flattery or coaxing to persuade someone: "Blandishment" refers to the action of trying to influence or persuade a person by using pleasing words, compliments, or gentle urging.
   • A flattering or coaxing remark or action intended to persuade: It also refers to the specific words or acts themselves that are designed to charm, flatter, or coax someone into doing something.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • He was immune to her blandishments and refused to change his decision. (The flattering words she used did not persuade him.)
  • The salesman's blandishments were so obvious that they made the customer suspicious. (The salesman's attempts at flattery to make a sale were transparent.)
  • She used a combination of logic and gentle blandishment to get her way. (She persuaded using both reason and coaxing.)

Advanced Usage

• Often used in the plural form ("blandishments"): The word is frequently used in its plural form to refer to a series or collection of flattering remarks or acts.
  • Despite the many blandishments of the lobbyists, the senator held firm. (The senator did not yield to the lobbyists' persistent flattery.)
• Used in formal or literary contexts: "Blandishment" is more common in formal writing, literature, or discussions about persuasion and influence, rather than in everyday casual speech.

Variants and Related Words

• Blandish (verb): To coax or influence someone by gentle flattery; to use blandishments.
  • He tried to blandish the guard into letting him pass.
• Blandisher (noun): A person who uses blandishments.

Synonyms

• Flattery: Excessive and insincere praise.
• Cajolery: Persuasion by flattery or gentle pleading.
• Coaxing: Persuading someone gradually or by flattery.
• Wheedling: Using endearments or flattery to persuade.

Antonyms

• Threat: A statement of an intention to inflict harm.
• Intimidation: The action of frightening or coercing someone.
• Criticism: The expression of disapproval.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• "To resist someone's blandishments": To not be persuaded by someone's flattering words or coaxing.
  • The judge was known to resist all blandishments and base her rulings solely on the law.
• "To succumb to blandishments": To finally yield or give in to flattery or coaxing.
  • He eventually succumbed to their blandishments and agreed to join the committee.

Học thuật

Noun

1. the act of urging by means of teasing or flattery
2. flattery intended to persuade

Từ đồng nghĩa

• wheedling
• cajolery
• palaver