convincing

adjective

con·​vinc·​ing kən-ˈvin(t)-siŋ How to pronounce convincing (audio)
1
: satisfying or assuring by argument or proof
a convincing test of a new product
2
: having power to convince of the truth, rightness, or reality of something : plausible
told a convincing story
convincingly adverb
convincingness noun
Choose the Right Synonym for convincing

valid, sound, cogent, convincing, telling mean having such force as to compel serious attention and usually acceptance.

valid implies being supported by objective truth or generally accepted authority.

a valid reason for being absent
a valid marriage

sound implies a basis of flawless reasoning or of solid grounds.

a sound proposal for reviving the economy

cogent may stress either weight of sound argument and evidence or lucidity of presentation.

the prosecutor's cogent summation won over the jury

convincing suggests a power to overcome doubt, opposition, or reluctance to accept.

a convincing argument for welfare reform

telling stresses an immediate and crucial effect striking at the heart of a matter.

a telling example of bureaucratic waste

Examples of convincing in a Sentence

Your argument isn't very convincing. They make a convincing case for reform. There is no convincing evidence to support his theory.
Recent Examples on the Web Disney and his team brought Mickey Mouse and the gang to life in a convincing way by laying down serious rules about movement, weight, volume and gravity. Mike Murchison, Forbes, 18 Oct. 2024 Direct suppliers face conflict and tension in both satisfying their buyer clients and in explaining, convincing, motivating and assisting their lower-tier suppliers. Hakan Karaosman, Sourcing Journal, 17 Oct. 2024 The report details a coordinated AI campaign using large language models (LLM) — the type of artificial intelligence that powers convincing, human-seeming chat bots like ChatGPT — to reply to other users. Kevin Collier, NBC News, 16 Oct. 2024 The ability to create convincing fake videos and images, for example, poses serious risks to privacy, security and trust in media. Justin Maier, Rolling Stone, 9 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for convincing 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'convincing.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1624, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of convincing was in 1624

Dictionary Entries Near convincing

Cite this Entry

“Convincing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/convincing. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

convincing

adjective
con·​vinc·​ing kən-ˈvin(t)-siŋ How to pronounce convincing (audio)
: causing one to believe or agree
convincingly adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on convincing

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