convince

convince — verb

1. to cause a person to accept an idea or to agree to take action, typically by off

1.verbtransitiveB1
Definition

to cause a person to accept an idea or to agree to take action, typically by offering strong reasons or clear evidence.

Example

Xiu convinced her parents that studying abroad was worth the cost.

convince + obj + that-clause (change someone's belief)

The defence lawyer convinced the jury of his client's innocence.

convince + obj + of + noun (prove a point)

Common collocations
  • convince yourself
  • remain convinced
  • strongly convinced
  • finally convinced
  • convinced of the need
  • convinced of the truth
Synonyms
  • persuade

    more focused on getting someone to act rather than to believe; can imply stronger pressure or repeated effort

  • assure

    to remove someone's doubt by making a confident statement, rather than through reasoning or argument

  • sway

    to gradually influence someone's opinion, often through emotional appeal rather than logic

Antonyms
  • dissuade

    to convince someone not to do something, often by pointing out risks

  • discourage

    to make someone less willing to do or believe something

Grammar Patterns

convince + object + that-clause

convince + object + to-infinitive

convince + object + of + noun phrase

be convinced (that)

Usage Note

Unlike persuade, which focuses on getting someone to take action, convince is more commonly used when changing someone's belief or opinion. The phrase 'I am convinced that…' expresses a firm personal belief, even without any attempt to persuade others. This sense is frequently used in the passive or with a reflexive pronoun.

Common Mistakes

She convinced me the truth.
She convinced me of the truth.
The preposition 'of' is needed when a noun follows the person being convinced.
I convinced him going to the party.
I convinced him to go to the party.
After 'convince someone,' use the to-infinitive, not a bare gerund.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

Convince and persuade are often used interchangeably, but convince emphasises changing someone's belief through reasoning, while persuade focuses more on moving someone to take action. You can convince someone that climate change is real without persuading them to join a protest. Assure is different: it removes doubt by making a confident statement, not by arguing — you assure a worried friend that everything will be fine. Sway suggests a gradual or emotional shift in opinion, often with less logical argument. For example: The journalist convinced readers that the policy was flawed (they now believe it). The candidate's speech persuaded voters to support her (they took action). The data alone did not sway the committee (they were only partly influenced).

persuade ↗assure ↗sway

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • convince yourself
  • remain convinced
  • be convinced
  • try to convince

Prepositions