Synonym Chooser

How does the verb coax differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of coax are blandish, cajole, soft-soap, and wheedle. While all these words mean "to influence or persuade by pleasing words or actions," coax implies gentle and persistent words or actions employed to produce a desired effect.

coaxed the cat out of the tree

When could blandish be used to replace coax?

The meanings of blandish and coax largely overlap; however, blandish implies a more open desire to win a person over by effusive praise and affectionate actions.

legislators blandished with promises of support

Where would cajole be a reasonable alternative to coax?

In some situations, the words cajole and coax are roughly equivalent. However, cajole suggests the deliberate use of flattery to persuade in the face of reluctance or reasonable objections.

cajoled him into cheating on the final exam

When is it sensible to use soft-soap instead of coax?

Although the words soft-soap and coax have much in common, soft-soap refers to using smooth and somewhat insincere talk usually for personal gain.

politicians soft-soaping eligible voters

In what contexts can wheedle take the place of coax?

The words wheedle and coax are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, wheedle suggests more strongly than cajole the use of seductive appeal or artful words in persuading.

hucksters wheedling her life's savings out of her

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of coax So Brekke, a veteran teacher, uses facial expressions and hand gestures and body language and all manner of visuals to coax kids out of their protective shell. Courtney Crowder, USA TODAY, 22 Mar. 2025 While many developers at the time settled for simple beeps and boops, Williams coaxed naturalistic environmental sounds from the silicon that modern audio designers, working with gigabytes of sampled audio, would still appreciate. ArsTechnica, 1 Apr. 2025 Nikola Jokic pump-faked from the top of the key, coaxing Milwaukee Bucks forward Kyle Kuzma’s right foot a step too high. Luca Evans, Denver Post, 27 Mar. 2025 Ingrid Bergman stars as Alicia Huberman, the daughter of a Nazi spy coaxed by T.R. Devlin (Cary Grant) to join a group of former Nazis living in South America, a group whose leaders include Alexander Sebastian (Claude Rains), with whom Alicia has a history. Keith Phipps, Vulture, 19 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for coax
Recent Examples of Synonyms for coax
Verb
  • Bibb took one there, along with her co-star Aimee Lou Wood, and had cajoled him into another.
    Michael Schulman, New Yorker, 31 Mar. 2025
  • States in the dark about federal education cuts European leaders arrived this week to flatter and cajole President Trump.
    Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 28 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Westchester County’s verdant enclaves have long lured the elite.
    Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 16 Apr. 2025
  • Amenities provided by Class A offices are viewed as a key tool needed to lure employees back to the office more days of the week.
    Kate Marijolovic, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The musical’s first act opens with the Moulin Rouge on the verge of closing, unless Satine can seduce a wealthy duke into becoming its patron — but for the moment, these financial woes are hidden behind the club’s glamorous veneer.
    Emily McClanathan, Chicago Tribune, 12 Apr. 2025
  • Sherri Parlay, a good woman with a high libido, is seduced into murder by the beguiling heir to a dry-cleaning fortune.
    Sara Gran, New York Times, 24 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • One reason is that in order to entice people to buy its stock, a company needs to offer potential shareholders something in return.
    Jenny Van Leeuwen Harrington, CNBC, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Those touches are some of the reasons that entice fans to buy from brands.
    John W. Dean, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • And yet, about four years ago, images of myself with flaxen hair started to wheedle their way into my brain and park there.
    Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 4 Apr. 2025
  • And soon thereafter, the mirror image: Sparks switches from playing wheedling Jerry to playing upright Bram in a harrowing scene with Arnold.
    Jesse Green, New York Times, 25 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Plus, the new Joy-Con controllers can be used like a computer mouse, perhaps another indication that Nintendo is looking to woo the computer gaming crowd.
    Lisa Eadicicco, CNN Money, 7 Apr. 2025
  • CEOs like Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg are rolling up their sleeves to personally woo AI stars, according to reports, and influential VC investors like Thrive Capital’s Joshua Kushner have had to run defense, seeking to persuade OpenAI employees of the economic advantage of staying put.
    Sharon Goldman, Fortune, 15 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Instead of immediately attempting to call off his rabid supporters, Trump sat on his hands as his supporters stormed the Capitol—even as members of his own party urged him to help.
    Ali Breland, The Atlantic, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Lacy’s father, Kenny Lacy, addressed his son’s death in an emotional Facebook post, urging other parents to stay tuned in to their children’s mental health.
    Essence News Editors, Essence, 14 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • In turn, Julian begged his ex to destroy the incriminating papers for the sake of their family.
    Sabienna Bowman, People.com, 18 Apr. 2025
  • For nearly ten years, fans have been begging for its return.
    Stephanie Gravalese, Forbes.com, 17 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Coax.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/coax. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.

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