CAJOLING Synonyms: 46 Similar and Opposite Words

cajoling

verb

present participle of cajole

as in coaxing

to get (someone) to do something by gentle urging, special attention, or flattery cajoled her into doing his laundry for him

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of cajoling In the clip, Bottomley’s character can be seen cajoling Howells’ Taylor into having a drink and letting loose at a house party. — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 11 Aug. 2026 Someone there has to be gobbier and start cajoling players into their proper positions. — Sarah Shephard, New York Times, 4 July 2026 After years of lobbying, cajoling – virtually pleading – state lawmakers back in 2024 finally granted the state Lottery an online presence. — Editorial, Boston Herald, 31 May 2026 Nearby, a group of teenage boys try their luck on a slackline over a pool six-and-a-half-feet deep before cajoling each other up to the cliff diving platforms. — Lauren Keith, Robb Report, 30 May 2026 In the past, Thrash conducted the auctions by herself, cajoling regular American attendees to open their purse strings. — Miles Socha, Footwear News, 26 May 2026 There will also be a familiar face cajoling and encouraging, in the background as well as on the main public stages. — Kamal Ahmed, Fortune, 13 May 2026 And six years later, Donovan is still prodding and cajoling the forward to crash the boards and control his dribble and contribute physically to the game. — Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 26 Mar. 2026 Europe has long underspent on defense, and where American cajoling for decades had not worked, a few face slaps succeeded. — Eliot A. Cohen, The Atlantic, 19 Jan. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for cajoling

coaxing

Verb

Last year, Ian Stamy took the state prize for his bumper soybean yield, coaxing an average of just over 100 bushels per acre from his operation in central Pennsylvania.

— Scott Neuman, NPR, 20 Aug. 2026
Carlos Rodon executed his pitch perfectly, coaxing Christian Franklin into what should have been an inning-ending double-play ball hit straight to Chisholm at second base.

— Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of coaxing

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cajoles

cajoling

cake

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“Cajoling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cajoling. Accessed 22 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of cajoling

verb

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