lexicow

convince

/kənˈvɪns//kənˈvɪns/·verb
A boulder sits in the valley, behind a hill it will not cross. Evidence stacks up at its back, and with each new piece it is shoved partway up the slope — and each time it rolls stubbornly back. Then the stack is tall enough: one last push carries it over the crest, and it rolls down the far side and settles, where it stays. Nothing forced it across; the reasons piled up until the mind tipped of its own weight, and once over, it does not roll back.
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Definition

To convince someone is to bring their mind over to your side — to make them believe something or agree to act, by force of evidence or argument rather than by orders. From Latin convincere, 'to overcome thoroughly', the winning happens inside the other person: a fact, not a threat, does the work. It usually takes 'convince someone of something' or 'convince someone to do something'. Note that a plausible case is not yet a convincing one — plausibility only opens the door; conviction walks the listener through it.

Examples

  • A plausible story is easy to tell; a convincing one has to survive every hard question.
  • It took months of coherent evidence to convince the board to fund the trial.
  • Charm alone rarely convinces a sceptic; only the weight of the facts does.

Collocations

convince someone of·fully convinced·hard to convince·convince the jury

Synonyms

persuade·satisfy·assure·win over·sway

Antonyms

dissuade·deter·discourage

Word family

convinced (adjective)·convincing (adjective)·conviction (noun)

In TOEFL & IELTS

A core verb for IELTS argument essays. Use convince somebody OF a fact or convince somebody TO act, and reach for 'convincing' as a strong adjective for evidence. Don't confuse the result-focused convince (the mind is changed) with persuade, which leans toward getting an action. The opposite tactic is to deter.