Cajole

/kəˈdʒoʊl/

Meaning & Definition

verb

To persuade someone to do something by sustained coaxing or flattery.

She tried to cajole her friend into going to the party with her.

To obtain something from someone by deception or flattery.

He managed to cajole a free meal from the restaurant staff.

To induce or influence a person to act in a desired way.

The teacher used every trick in the book to cajole her students into studying for the exam.

To persuade someone to take a particular action or adopt a certain attitude, often in a gentle or deceptive manner.

They attempted to cajole the committee into approving the project.

French 'cajoler', derived from 'cage' or 'to cage' in relation to the action of entrapment.

cajole someone into

To persuade someone to take action, often against their better judgment.

cajole one's way in

To manage to gain entry or access by means of flattery or persuasion.

coax

To gently persuade someone to do something.

wheedle

To use flattery to persuade someone to do something.

inveigle

To entice or lure by flattery or deception.

Sweet-talk

He's a master of sweet-talking his way out of trouble.

Butter up

She tried to butter him up before asking for a favor.