Expressing Encouragement and Discouragement: English Vocabulary List

to try to change someone's opinion on something and gain their favor or support

"She won over the skeptical audience quickly."

"The young politician managed to win over skeptical voters by addressing their concerns directly and honestly."

to convince someone to do something they do not want to do

"He talked me into buying the car."

"My friend talked me into buying concert tickets even though I initially thought they were too expensive."

to control someone's thoughts, actions, or feelings and make them believe or do certain things through tricks or force

"The cult tried to brainwash its members."

"The cult leader tried to brainwash his followers by isolating them from their families and controlling all information they received."

to persuade and convince a person to do something

"She prevailed on him to change his mind."

"She prevailed on her husband to finally clean out the cluttered garage after months of gentle persuasion."

to deceive or trick someone into doing something by using clever and tricky methods

"He will beguile them."

"The magician beguiled the audience with his clever tricks and charming personality throughout the entire show."

to make someone not to do something

"His parents tried to dissuade him from quitting."

"His parents tried to dissuade him from dropping out of college but he had already made up his mind."

to cause someone to lose courage, enthusiasm, or hope

"Bad news can dishearten the team."

"Repeated failures can dishearten even the most determined person but quitting is not the solution."

to make someone feel sad or less hopeful by weakening their confidence, mood, etc.

"Losing repeatedly can demoralize any athlete."

"Losing the championship game by a large margin could demoralize the young team for the next season."

to cause someone to feel discouraged and less motivated

"The harsh criticism dispirited the young artist."

"The harsh criticism from the reviewers seemed to dispirit the young artist who had worked so hard on his exhibition."

to make someone feel uneasy or anxious, disrupting their usual calm or confidence

"The sudden noise unnerved the nervous cat."

"The sudden loud noise unnerved the skittish horse causing it to throw its rider off and run away."

to publicly support or recommend something

"She advocates for environmental protection policies."

"The environmental group advocates for stronger government regulations to reduce carbon emissions from factories and power plants."