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 .

Noun

(uncountable) Excessive praise or approval, which is often insincere and sometimes contrived to win favour.

*

, title=The Mirror and the Lamp , chapter=2 citation , passage=That the young Mr. Churchills liked—but they did not like him coming round of an evening and drinking weak whisky-and-water while he held forth on railway debentures and corporation loans. Mr. Barrett, however, by fawning and flattery , seemed to be able to make not only Mrs. Churchill but everyone else do what he desired.}}

(countable) An instance of excessive praise.