convince
Pronunciation
  • (RP, GA) IPA: /kənˈvɪns/
Verb

convince (convinces, present participle convincing; past and past participle convinced)

  1. To make someone believe, or feel sure about something, especially by using logic, argument or evidence.
    I wouldn't have or do something, unless I'm convinced that it's good.
    • Such convincing proofs and assurances of it as might enable them to convince others.
  2. To persuade.
  3. (obsolete, transitive) To overcome, conquer, vanquish.
    • c. 1606, William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Macbeth”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies: Published According to the True Originall Copies (First Folio), London: Printed by Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, OCLC 606515358 ↗, [Act I, scene vii]:
      His two chamberlains / Will I with wine and wassail so convince / That memory, the warder of the brain, / Shall be a fume.
  4. (obsolete, transitive) To confute; to prove wrong.
    • 1625, Francis Bacon, Of Atheism
      God never wrought miracle to convince atheism, because his ordinary works convince it.
  5. (obsolete, transitive) To prove guilty; to convict.
    • 1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), imprinted at London: By Robert Barker, […], OCLC 964384981 ↗, John 8:46 ↗:
      Which of you convinceth me of sin?
    • Seek not to convince me of a crime / Which I can ne'er repent, nor you can pardon.
Synonyms Translations


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