unpersuaded
/'ʌnpə'sweidid/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Adjective:
- Not convinced or swayed: Describes a state of not being persuaded, convinced, or won over by an argument, evidence, or appeal. It indicates that someone's opinion, belief, or position remains unchanged despite attempts to influence it.
Usage
The adjective "unpersuaded" is used to describe a person or group whose mind has not been changed. It is typically used in formal or written contexts, often following a verb like "remain," "stay," or "be." - It is commonly followed by a prepositional phrase starting with "by" (e.g., unpersuaded by the evidence) or a clause starting with "that" (e.g., unpersuaded that the plan would work).
Examples
- Adjective:
- The jury remained unpersuaded by the lawyer's emotional closing argument.
- I am unpersuaded that increasing taxes is the best solution to this problem.
- Despite the detailed presentation, many committee members were left unpersuaded.
Advanced Usage
- "To leave someone unpersuaded": To fail to convince someone after presenting a case.
- The lack of concrete data left the investors unpersuaded.
- Used in a comparative or superlative structure (though less common).
- Of all the critics, she was the most unpersuaded by the new theory.
Variants and Related Words
- Unconvinced (adj): Not convinced. This is a very close synonym and is more frequently used in everyday language.
- Unswayed (adj): Not influenced or changed in opinion.
- Doubtful (adj): Feeling uncertain; not convinced of something's truth or likelihood. (This has a stronger implication of active doubt than "unpersuaded," which often indicates a simple lack of positive conviction.)
Synonyms
- Unconvinced: Not persuaded or assured.
- Not convinced: The most direct and common paraphrase.
- Unmoved: Not emotionally affected or persuaded (can imply emotional steadfastness).
- Skeptical: Inclined to question or doubt accepted opinions (implies an active questioning attitude).
Antonyms
- Persuaded: Convinced or won over.
- Convinced: Completely certain or sure about something.
- Swayed: Influenced to change an opinion.
Notes on Meaning
"Unpersuaded" specifically refers to the outcome of a persuasive effort. It describes the state of not having been converted to a new viewpoint. It does not necessarily imply that the person is stubborn or closed-minded, only that the particular argument presented was insufficient for them. The word is neutral in tone.
Adjective
- not converted