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Compulsion vs Persuasion - What's the difference?

compulsion | persuasion |

As nouns the difference between compulsion and persuasion

is that compulsion is an irrational need to perform some action, often despite negative consequences while persuasion is the act of persuading, or trying to do so; the addressing of arguments to someone with the intention of changing their mind or convincing them of a certain point of view, course of action etc.

compulsion

English

Noun

(en noun)
  • An irrational need to perform some action, often despite negative consequences.
  • *{{quote-magazine, date=2013-06-07, author=David Simpson
    • , volume=188, issue=26, page=36, magazine=(The Guardian Weekly) , title= Fantasy of navigation , passage=It is tempting to speculate about the incentives or compulsions that might explain why anyone would take to the skies in [the] basket [of a balloon]: perhaps out of a desire to escape the gravity of this world or to get a preview of the next; […].}}
  • The use of authority, influence, or other power to force (compel) a person or persons to act.
  • The lawful use of violence (i.e. by the administration).

    • Related terms

    * compulsive * compulsory

    External links

    * *

    persuasion

    English

    (wikipedia persuasion)

    Alternative forms

    * (l) (obsolete)

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • The act of persuading, or trying to do so; the addressing of arguments to someone with the intention of changing their mind or convincing them of a certain point of view, course of action etc.
  • * 2006 , Rachel Morris, "Borderline Catastrophe", Washington Monthly , vol. 38:10:
    • With the base unleashed, the White House was unable to broker a compromise, either by persuasion or by pressure.
  • An argument or other statement intended to influence one's opinions or beliefs; a way of persuading someone.
  • * 1928 , "The New Pictures", Time , 13 Feb 1928:
    • Sadie curses, weeps, then, infected by Mr. Hamilton's writhing persuasions , prays and becomes penitent.
  • A strongly held conviction, opinion or belief.
    • It is his persuasion that abortion should never be condoned.
  • One's ability or power to influence someone's opinions or feelings; persuasiveness.
  • A specified religious adherence, a creed; any school of thought or ideology.
  • * 2009 , US Catholic (letter), May 2009:
    • As a convert from the Baptist persuasion more than 40 years ago, I still feel like an outsider in the church despite the kindness and acceptance of Catholic friends.
  • (colloquial) Any group having a specified characteristic or attribute in common.
  • * 2010 , "We don't need gay stereotypes", The Guardian , 6 Feb 2010:
    • Social understanding and equality can neither be nurtured through fear, nor intimidation. Surely this goes for people of all sexual persuasions .

    Antonyms

    * dissuasion * dissuasion

    Derived terms

    * persuade * persuasive * suasion ----