Definition

1. Noun:
   • The act of persuading: The process of trying to convince someone to do something or to believe something through reasoning or argument.
   • A firmly held belief or opinion: A personal conviction or view, especially one that is not necessarily based on proof.
   • A particular system of religious or political beliefs: A group or sect sharing a specific set of beliefs; a creed or affiliation.

Usage and Examples

• Noun (Act of persuading):

  • Her gentle persuasion finally convinced me to apply for the job.
  • The art of persuasion is a key skill in marketing and sales.

• Noun (Firm belief):

  • It is my persuasion that honesty is always the best policy.
  • He spoke with great persuasion about the need for environmental reform.

• Noun (System of beliefs):

  • People of all religious persuasions attended the interfaith service.
  • The magazine caters to readers of a conservative political persuasion.

Advanced Usage

• "Of the... persuasion": This phrase is used to specify a person's particular belief system, affiliation, or type. It can be used seriously or humorously.
  • She is of the Buddhist persuasion. (Serious, indicating religion)
  • He's very much of the "early to bed, early to rise" persuasion. (Humorous, indicating a type of person with certain habits)

Variants and Related Words

• Persuade (verb): To cause someone to do or believe something through reasoning or argument.
  • I tried to persuade him to change his mind.
• Persuasive (adjective): Good at persuading someone to do or believe something; convincing.
  • She made a very persuasive argument for the new policy.
• Persuasively (adverb): In a convincing manner.
  • He argued his case persuasively.

Synonyms

• Conviction: A firmly held belief or opinion.
• Inducement: The act of persuading someone to do something.
• Creed: A system of religious or other belief.
• Viewpoint: A particular attitude or way of considering a matter.

Related Phrases and Idioms

• Powers of persuasion: A person's ability to persuade others effectively.
  • With her powers of persuasion, she managed to get the whole team on board.
• Gentle persuasion: The use of polite and patient argument to convince someone.
  • Sometimes, gentle persuasion works better than forceful demands.

Noun

1. a personal belief or judgment that is not founded on proof or certainty
   • my opinion differs from yours
   • I am not of your persuasion
   • what are your thoughts on Haiti?
2. the act of persuading (or attempting to persuade); communication intended to induce belief or action