1
Core action
Persuade someone to do something through persistent flattery, gentle pressure, or coaxing.
Example
The organiser cajoled reluctant residents into attending.
cajole
/kəˈdʒəʊl/ · kuh-JOHLverb
Persuade someone to do something through persistent flattery, gentle pressure, or coaxing.
Use cajole to express this relationship precisely: persuade someone to do something through persistent flattery, gentle pressure, or coaxing.
What cajole Really Means
The word becomes easier to use when its closely related senses are separated and compared.
2
Common construction
Use this expression in its normal grammatical frame so the relationship between the surrounding ideas remains explicit.
Example
No amount of praise could cajole the witness into changing her account.
3
Reasoning effect
It tells the reader how to interpret the timing, scope, evidence, contrast, condition, or consequence in the statement.
Example
He tried to cajole the committee with compliments.
Use cajole Naturally
Notice how the surrounding noun or clause reveals the exact shade of meaning.
The organiser cajoled reluctant residents into attending.
No amount of praise could cajole the witness into changing her account.
He tried to cajole the committee with compliments.
Precision Matters
Cajole overlaps with several common words, but each carries a different emphasis.
cajole
vs.Means persuade someone to do something through persistent flattery, gentle pressure, or coaxing.
sway
Means influence or persuade someone to adopt a view, decision, or course of action.
cajole
vs.Means persuade someone to do something through persistent flattery, gentle pressure, or coaxing.
induce
Means to cause or bring about.
cajole
vs.Means persuade someone to do something through persistent flattery, gentle pressure, or coaxing.
appease
Means to calm anger or discontent, often by meeting demands or making concessions.
cajole
vs.Means persuade someone to do something through persistent flattery, gentle pressure, or coaxing.
denounce
Means publicly condemn or speak out strongly against someone, something, or an action.
Test cajole in Context
The coach coaxes the player through friendly persuasion.
1
The coach used praise and humour to ___ the hesitant player into joining the match.