Definition
To persuade or convince someone to do something through gentle urging or flattery.
Pronunciation
US English
UK English
Part of Speech
Verb.
Synonyms
Persuade, cajole, entice, inveigle, wheedle, sweet-talk.
Antonyms
Disgust, repel, dissuade, deter.
Word Forms
| Part of Speech | Words |
|---|---|
| Noun | coaxers, coaxing, coax, coaxings, coaxes, coaxer |
| Verb | coaxed, coaxing, coax, coaxes |
| Adjective | coaxing |
| Adverb | None |
Example Sentences
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The mother tried to coax her toddler into eating vegetables by making funny faces and pretending to enjoy them herself.
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The coach used motivational speeches and individual attention to coax the athletes into giving their best performance.
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The negotiator used his persuasive skills to coax the opposing party into accepting a compromise.
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The teacher employed various teaching strategies to coax shy students out of their shells and encourage active participation.
Usage
The word “coax” is often used to describe a gentle and persuasive approach to getting someone to do something. It can be used in a variety of contexts, such as coaxing a friend to try a new restaurant, coaxing a child to take their medicine, or coaxing a customer to buy a more expensive product. The act of coaxing can involve using flattery, offering incentives, or making a situation more appealing in order to convince someone to act in a particular way.
The word “coax” can be used as a verb, and it is often followed by the preposition “into.” For example, “She was able to coax her friend into joining her for a hike.” In some cases, the object of the verb may not be a person, but an animal or an inanimate object. For example, “He tried to coax the car into starting by tapping the gas pedal.”
The root of the word “coax” comes from the Old French word “caucier,” which means “to subdue, tame, or coax.” The word “coax” has several related words and phrases, including “coaxer,” which refers to someone who coaxes, and “coaxial,” which refers to something that is arranged in parallel with another object or device. Additionally, the prefix “de-” can be added to “coax” to create the word “decoax,” which means to reverse the process of coaxing, or to convince someone to change their mind.