convincingly

convincingly — adverb

1. Done with such strength of logic or evidence that listeners accept what is said

1.adverbB2
Definition

Done with such strength of logic or evidence that listeners accept what is said as true and correct — for example, arguing a position so thoroughly that doubt disappears.

Example

Layla argued convincingly that the company should invest in renewable energy.

convincingly + that-clause after argue/claim

The witness described the accident so convincingly that the judge had no remaining doubt.

so + convincingly + that-clause for result

Common collocations
  • argue convincingly
  • explain convincingly
  • demonstrate convincingly
  • prove convincingly
  • show convincingly
Synonyms
  • persuasively

    emphasises moving someone to action or agreement rather than just belief

  • compellingly

    suggests an irresistible argument that is hard to doubt

  • plausibly

    suggests something seems reasonable on the surface but may not be actually true

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

verb + convincingly

so + convincingly + that-clause

convincingly + adjective

Usage Note

Frequently modifies verbs of communication or demonstration — argue, explain, show, demonstrate, prove. Can also modify an adjective to mean 'in a way that seems true' (e.g., convincingly real, convincingly honest).

Common Mistakes

She convincingly ate her dinner.
She convincingly argued her point.
'convincingly' only works with verbs of communication, proof, or demonstration, not physical actions.
He spoke convincingly honest.' (missing hyphen/sense)
He spoke in a convincingly honest way.
when modifying an adjective, 'convincingly' comes right before the adjective it modifies.

2. Describing a win or victory where the winner is so clearly ahead that the outcom

2.adverbB2
Definition

Describing a win or victory where the winner is so clearly ahead that the outcome is beyond dispute — typically through a large gap in score, votes, or performance.

Example

The national team won the match convincingly, scoring four goals to zero.

sports context: win + match/competition

Mayor Dahlia was re-elected convincingly, receiving more than 70 percent of the vote.

political context: be re-elected convincingly

Common collocations
  • win convincingly
  • beat convincingly
  • defeat convincingly
  • re-elect convincingly
  • outplay convincingly
Synonyms
  • decisively

    emphasises the clear and final nature of the outcome

  • overwhelmingly

    emphasises the very large margin of victory

  • handsomely

    more informal, often used in sports commentary

Antonyms
  • narrowly

    by a small margin — opposite of a convincing victory

Grammar Patterns

verb + convincingly

verb + noun + convincingly

Usage Note

Only used with competition verbs — win, beat, defeat, re-elect, outplay. A convincing victory requires a large margin; a narrow one-point win is not described as convincingly.

Common Mistakes

She convincingly won the race by one tenth of a second.
She won the race convincingly, finishing ten seconds ahead of the next runner.
'convincingly' implies a large margin, not a narrow one.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adverb/1

All five words describe language or arguments that lead others to accept a position, but they emphasise different aspects. Convincingly is the broadest — it simply means the listener is brought to believe, whether through logic, emotion, or evidence. Persuasively focuses on the speaker's skill in moving someone to agree or take action, often relying on emotional appeal. Compellingly suggests an irresistible quality — the argument demands attention and seems impossible to reject. Plausibly is weaker: it means the argument seems reasonable on the surface but may not be actually correct. Cogently is the most intellectual — it describes arguments that are logically clear, well-structured, and internally consistent. For example: 'She argued convincingly that the policy was flawed' (general belief). 'He presented the case cogently in court' (logical structure in a formal setting). 'The theory seemed implausible at first, yet the professor explained it so compellingly that the committee voted to fund the research.'

convincingly ↗persuasivelycompellinglyplausiblycogently

Etymology

LatinEnglish

Formed from convincing (the present participle of convince) plus the adverb-forming suffix -ly. The root verb convince comes from Latin convincere, a combination of the intensive prefix com- and vincere meaning 'to conquer'. So the original sense was 'to conquer thoroughly' — a meaning that later shifted from physical victory to mental persuasion.