coax

coax — verb

1. To gently persuade someone into doing something through kind words, patient enco

1.verbtransitiveB2
Definition

To gently persuade someone into doing something through kind words, patient encouragement, or gentle praise — not by ordering or pressuring them.

Example

Priya coaxed her little brother into eating his carrots with a funny superhero story.

coax + into + doing something

The librarian coaxed the nervous child to read aloud by promising it would stay between them.

Common collocations
  • coax gently
  • coax patiently
  • coax someone into agreement
  • coax a shy child
  • coax with treats
Synonyms
  • persuade

    more general and neutral; can involve reasoning and argument, not just gentle methods

  • cajole

    similar but can imply persistent or mildly annoying pleading

  • wheedle

    slightly negative, suggesting flattery used to get something you want

Antonyms
  • force

    uses power or threats instead of gentle persuasion

  • order

    commands rather than requests gently

Grammar Patterns

coax + someone + into + doing something

coax + someone + to + do something

coax + someone + out of/into/from + somewhere

coax + someone + with + something

Usage Note

The object of 'coax' is typically a person or animal who is reluctant, shy, or frightened. Common patterns use 'into,' 'to,' 'out of,' or 'with' to show the method or result.

Common Mistakes

I coaxed him for coming with me.
I coaxed him into coming with me.
Use 'into' + gerund, not 'for' + gerund, after 'coax.'

2. To make a machine, object, or system work the way you want it to by handling it

2.verbtransitiveB2
Definition

To make a machine, object, or system work the way you want it to by handling it with great patience, care, and skill.

Example

Hana coaxed the old rusty lock open with oil and slow turns of the key.

coax + something + adjective (open)

The mechanic coaxed more life out of the old truck with careful tuning.

coax + something + out of + something

Common collocations
  • coax a machine
  • coax an engine
  • coax a lock open
  • coax a fire
  • coax a sound
  • coax a flame
Synonyms
  • persuade

    can be used metaphorically for machines, though it is less common

  • talk into

    informal, used only with people, not objects

Grammar Patterns

coax + something + open/shut/back to life

coax + something + out of/from + something

coax + something + into + doing something

coax + something + to + do something

Usage Note

Unlike sense 1, this sense takes a mechanical object or system as the object rather than a person. The result is often expressed by an adjective (open, shut) or a prepositional phrase (out of, from).

Common Mistakes

I coaxed the lock for opening.
I coaxed the lock open.
Use an adjective directly after the object to describe the result, not 'for' + gerund.
Phrasal verbs

coax from

phrasal verb

To persuade someone gently to give you something or tell you something.

Mia coaxed a smile from the shy little boy.

Can you coax the truth from the witness?

coax out of

phrasal verb

To persuade someone gently not to do something or to give up something.

Dad coaxed his daughter out of quitting piano lessons.

The negotiator coaxed the robber out of harming anyone.

coax — noun

Word family

  • coaxing
    adjectiveB2
  • coaxingly
    adverbC1
  • coaxer
    nounC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

All five words describe getting someone to do something through gentle influence, but they differ in tone and method. 'Persuade' is the most neutral and general — it works through reasoning and argument (e.g., 'The doctor persuaded him to quit smoking by showing the test results'). 'Coax' is warmer and more patient, often involving repeated kind words or actions to calm or encourage someone (e.g., 'She coaxed the frightened dog out of the corner'). 'Cajole' is similar but can involve persistent, even mildly annoying pleading (e.g., 'The kids cajoled their parents into stopping for ice cream'). 'Wheedle' has a slightly negative edge — it suggests using flattery or charm to get something you want, sometimes manipulatively (e.g., 'He wheedled an extra cookie out of his grandmother'). 'Sweet-talk' is informal and usually suggests deliberate, sometimes insincere flattery to get a favour (e.g., 'He tried to sweet-talk the receptionist into giving him a better room').

persuade ↗cajolewheedlesweet-talk

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • coax someone into doing something
  • coax something out of someone
  • coax something to do something

Prepositions

Etymology

Englishpossibly from earlier slang

The verb 'coax' entered English around the 1580s, possibly from 'cokes' meaning 'a fool or simpleton' in 16th-century English slang. The original meaning was 'to make a fool of,' which softened over time to 'to persuade by flattery or gentle means.' The noun use as a short form of 'coaxial cable' emerged in the mid-20th century alongside the rise of television and telecommunications.