1. Definition of “Cajole”
“Cajole” is a verb that means to persuade someone to do something by using gentle and persistent coaxing or flattery. For example, “She tried to cajole her parents into buying her a new dress by complimenting them and being extra sweet.”
2. Synonyms
- Coax
- “Coax” also means to persuade someone in a gentle and persistent way. For example, “The mother coaxed her child to eat the vegetables by making it sound like a fun adventure.” It is very similar to “cajole” and is often used interchangeably. The difference is quite subtle; perhaps “cajole” may involve a bit more flattery or sweet - talking, while “coax” emphasizes the gentle persuasion without necessarily the added element of flattery.
- Wheedle
- “Wheedle” means to use flattery or coaxing to obtain something. For example, “The salesman wheedled the customer into buying a more expensive product by complimenting his taste.” It is closely related to “cajole” as it involves using flattering or persuasive language. However, “wheedle” often has a more sly or manipulative connotation. When you wheedle, you might be seen as using more underhanded tactics to get what you want compared to the perhaps more innocent - sounding “cajole.”
- Inveigle
- “Inveigle” means to persuade someone to do something through deception or flattery. For example, “The con artist inveigled the old lady into giving him her savings.” It is similar to “cajole” in the sense of persuasion, but it has a stronger negative implication of using trickery or guile. “Cajole” is more about gentle coaxing, while “inveigle” suggests a more calculated and sometimes dishonest way of getting someone to comply.
- Blandish
- “Blandish” means to coax or flatter someone with the intention of persuading them. For example, “He tried to blandish his boss into giving him a raise by constantly praising her management skills.” It is related to “cajole” in that it involves the use of flattery for persuasion. However, “blandish” is a more formal and perhaps less commonly used word, and it emphasizes the act of using flattering language more than the overall process of gentle coaxing like “cajole” does.