Convincing: meaning, definitions and examples

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convincing

[kənˈvɪnsɪŋ ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

argument

Capable of causing someone to believe that something is true or real.

Synonyms

believable, compelling, credible, persuasive.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
convincing	Used when something or someone is able to make you believe that something is true or real through coherent arguments or evidence. Her argument was very convincing. The witnesses gave convincing testimony.
persuasive	Refers to the ability to convince someone to do or believe something through reasoning or the use of charm. His speech was highly persuasive. She is a very persuasive salesperson.
compelling	Applies when something is so strong or forceful that it demands attention or action, can also imply an emotional impact. The documentary presented a compelling argument for climate action. She gave a compelling performance that moved the audience.
credible	Denotes something that is worthy of belief or trust; it generally implies reliability and trustworthiness. The journalist has built a credible reputation over the years. The evidence presented in the case was credible.
believable	Refers to something that is credible or realistic enough to be accepted as true. The plot of the movie was quite believable. His excuse was not very believable.

Examples of usage

It was a convincing argument that persuaded me to change my mind.
Her convincing performance in the play earned her a standing ovation.
The evidence presented at the trial was not convincing enough to convict the defendant.

^{Context #2 | Adjective}

appearance

Appearing to be true or real.

Synonyms

authentic, credible, plausible, realistic.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
convincing	Utilized when you need to describe something that has a strong impact and makes others believe or accept an idea or argument. Her argument was so convincing that everyone in the room agreed with her The evidence presented was convincing enough to prove his innocence
authentic	Appropriate for describing something that is genuine, real or true to its original form, especially in relation to cultural or historical contexts. The museum displayed an authentic ancient Greek vase He prefers authentic Mexican cuisine over the Americanized versions
realistic	Ideal for situations where something closely resembles real life, or when providing expectations that are reasonable and achievable. The artist's painting was so realistic it looked like a photograph Setting realistic goals is important for success
plausible	Used to describe something that appears reasonable or probable, often in speculative or theoretical contexts. The detective's theory seemed plausible given the available evidence It's a plausible explanation for the strange phenomenon
credible	Best used when referring to something or someone that can be trusted or believed because it seems reasonable and trustworthy. The news source is considered credible by most experts Her credentials make her a credible candidate for the position

Examples of usage

His fake ID looked convincing enough to fool the bouncer.
The special effects in the movie were so convincing that it felt like reality.
Her fake smile was not very convincing.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word originated from the Latin 'convincere', which means 'to conquer or overcome'.
The Middle French word 'convaincre', meaning 'to convince', influenced its modern usage in English.

Psychology

Studies show that persuasive communication is most effective when it appeals to emotions rather than just facts.
Cognitive dissonance is a psychological concept where people change their beliefs to align with their actions, often making them more convincing.

Pop Culture

Numerous films focus on the theme of persuasion, including courtroom dramas where the goal is to convince a jury.
The popularity of influencers on social media is a modern example of convincing techniques used to sway public opinion.

Communication

The 'Elaboration Likelihood Model' explains that people can be convinced through a central route (focusing on the argument) or a peripheral route (focusing on superficial cues).
Good communicators often use storytelling to create relatable scenarios that can be quite convincing.

Literature

Great authors often manipulate character dialogue to be convincing, making readers invest in their stories and outcomes.
In persuasive essays, writers use strong arguments and evidence to convince readers of their viewpoint.

Translations

Translations of the word "convincing" in other languages:

🇵🇹 convincente

🇮🇳 प्रभावी

🇩🇪 überzeugend

🇮🇩 meyakinkan

🇺🇦 переконливий

🇵🇱 przekonujący

🇯🇵 説得力のある

🇫🇷 convaincant

🇪🇸 convincente

🇹🇷 ikna edici

🇰🇷 설득력 있는

🇸🇦 مقنع

🇨🇿 přesvědčivý

🇸🇰 presvedčivý

🇨🇳 有说服力的

🇸🇮 prepričljiv

🇮🇸 sannfærandi

🇰🇿 сендіру

🇬🇪 დამაჯერებელი

🇦🇿 inandırıcı

🇲🇽 convincente

Word Frequency Rank

At #5,957 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.

...
5954 dismiss
5955 lucky
5956 fatty
5957 convincing
5958 incapable
5959 marking
5960 suppliers
...