wheedle — to persuade someone to do something by being nice to them or by flattering them
Part of speech: VERB
Definition: to persuade someone to do something by being nice to them or by flattering them
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈwiːdl/
Example Sentences
- He tried to wheedle his teacher into giving him extra credit by complimenting her new haircut.
- The child wheedled her parents into buying ice cream with her puppy dog eyes.
- She managed to wheedle the secret recipe out of her grandmother.
wheedle
VERB[/ˈwiːdl/]
to persuade someone to do something by being nice to them or by flattering them
Mother sweetly coaxing stubborn daughter
The beetle tries to wheedle with a needle!
Got the picture? Now let's practice.
🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
The word derives from 17th-century German 'wedeln', meaning 'to wag the tail'. The term metaphorically extends from the behavior of a dog wagging its tail to obtain something from its master, transferred to describe how a person uses flattery and coaxing to persuade another.
Breakdown
German 'wedeln' (to wag the tail) + English causative/frequentative suffix '-le', producing the sense of repeated, ingratiating behavior aimed at persuasion.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“He tried to wheedle his teacher into giving him extra credit by complimenting her new haircut.”
“The child wheedled her parents into buying ice cream with her puppy dog eyes.”
“She managed to wheedle the secret recipe out of her grandmother.”
“Don't try to wheedle me with your sweet talk - I know what you're up to!”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
Antonyms
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