cajolement

cajolement

A young man uses gentle cajolement to persuade his friend to join the outing.

Definition
  1. Noun:
    • The act or instance of persuading someone through flattery or gentle deception: "cajolement" refers to the process or result of coaxing or wheedling someone into doing something by using praise, promises, or subtle tricks rather than force.
Usage Examples
  • (The act of persuading through flattery.)
  • (The persistent use of coaxing.)
  • (Gentle pleading or flattery.)
Advanced Usage

  • "to use cajolement": to employ flattery or persuasion as a strategy.

    • The diplomat’s success relied on patient cajolement rather than threats. (The use of gentle persuasion instead of force.)

  • "cajolement as a tool": a method of influence often seen in negotiations or parenting.

    • In negotiations, cajolement can be more effective than confrontation. (Coaxing as a persuasive technique.)
Variants and Related Words
  • Cajole (verb): to persuade someone by flattery or gentle urging.
    • She tried to cajole her friend into joining the trip. (She coaxed her friend.)
  • Cajoler (noun): a person who cajoles.
    • He was a skilled cajoler, always getting what he wanted. (A person skilled in coaxing.)
  • Cajolery (noun): a synonym for cajolement, meaning persistent flattery or persuasion.
    • The politician’s cajolery won over the undecided voters. (The act of flattering to persuade.)
Synonyms
  • Coaxing: the act of gently persuading someone.
  • Wheedling: using flattery or endearments to influence someone.
  • Blarney: smooth, flattering talk intended to persuade.
  • Sweet-talking: using pleasant or flattering words to convince.
Related Idioms
  • Butter someone up: to flatter someone excessively in order to gain a favor.
    • He buttered up his boss with compliments before asking for a raise. (He used flattery to persuade.)
  • Soft-soap: to use flattery or persuasion to get someone to agree.
    • The salesperson soft-soaped the customer into buying the expensive product. (Used gentle persuasion.)
Phrasal Verbs (Related to the verb "cajole")
  • Cajole into: to persuade someone to do something through flattery.
    • She cajoled him into attending the party. (She persuaded him gently.)
  • Cajole out of: to obtain something from someone through coaxing.
    • He cajoled a promise out of his sister. (He extracted a promise through flattery.)
Word Origin
  • Etymology: From French (to coax, to flatter), likely of uncertain origin, possibly from Old French (a cage, implying enticing into a trap). The suffix "-ment" forms a noun indicating the action or result.