verb

coax

to coax, to persuade, to wheedle

She coaxed the cat out from under the car.

She coaxed the cat out from under the car.

He coaxed a smile from the baby.

He coaxed a smile from the baby.

I coaxed him into coming with us.

I coaxed him into coming with us.

((sb./sth.)) ((out of/from sth.)) to persuade (sb./sth.) to come out of a place She coaxed the cat out from under the car.

((sth.)) ((from/out of sb.)) to get (sth.) from (sb.) by gentle persuasion He coaxed a smile from the baby.

((sb.)) ((into -ing)) to persuade (sb.) to do (sth.) I coaxed him into coming with us.

Synonyms: persuade, wheedle, cajole; Antonyms: force, compel

Origin uncertain, perhaps related to 'cokes', a fool, from the idea of 'making a fool of' someone.

Imagine gently persuading someone with soft, repeated sounds, like 'co... ax... co... ax...' to get them to do something.

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