persuasion

noun persuasions · perswasion

1. countable, uncountable The act of persuading, or trying to do so; the addressing of arguments to someone with the intention of changing their mind or convincing them of a certain point of view, course of action etc. With the base unleashed, the White House was unable to broker a compromise, either by persuasion or by pressure.
2. countable, uncountable An argument or other statement intended to influence one's opinions or beliefs; a way of persuading someone. Not Hermes Prolocutor to the Gods, Could vſe perſwaſions more pathetical.
3. countable, euphemistic, uncountable All activity attempting to influence or control others' behavior or profession of beliefs, from convincing to threatening, assault, or battery. Some of the shopowners were resistant to the extortion, so the mafia did some persuasion.
4. countable, uncountable A strongly held conviction, opinion or belief. It is his persuasion that abortion should never be condoned.
5. countable, uncountable One's ability or power to influence someone's opinions or feelings; persuasiveness.
6. countable, uncountable A specified religious adherence, a creed; any school of thought or ideology. As a convert from the Baptist persuasion more than 40 years ago, I still feel like an outsider in the church despite the kindness and acceptance of Catholic friends.
7. broadly, countable, humorous, often, uncountable Another personal, animal or inanimate trait that is not (very) liable to be changed by persuasion, such as sex, gender, ethnicity, origin, profession or nature. 1871 February 14, J.J., "More Solution", Latter-Day Saints Millennial Star, page 105. Let us pray that the next generation be all of the male persuasion.

Opposite: dissuasion