Persuasion and Agreement: English Vocabulary List

to agree to something such as a request, proposal, demand, etc.

"She acceded to his request."

"After much deliberation, the committee decided to accede to the protesters' demands for better working conditions and fair wages."

to reluctantly accept something without protest

"She acquiesced to their demands reluctantly."

"After hours of heated debate the minority party reluctantly acquiesced to the demands of the majority to avoid a government shutdown."

to indicate or show something

"His smile bespeaks happiness."

"The expensive car and designer clothes bespeak a life of great wealth and privilege that most people can only dream of."

to agree and not oppose to something that one generally finds unacceptable or unpleasant

"I will not countenance such rude behavior."

"The school administration would not countenance any form of cheating on the final exams and threatened to expel any student who was caught."

to express one's disagreement, refusal, or reluctance

"She demurs when asked to lead the group."

"She wanted to accept the job offer but demurred because the salary was much lower than she had expected."

to make someone do something specific, often by offering something attractive

"The sale enticed many shoppers to the store."

"The job offer included a high salary and a company car to entice the talented engineer to leave his current position."

to bring up a topic or question for discussion

"Let's moot this point."

"The committee decided to moot the controversial proposal at their next meeting."

to persuade someone to do what one wants by threatening them or giving them money

"They tried to nobble him."

"The corrupt official tried to nobble the jury by offering them substantial bribes."

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 officially cancel a law, decision, agreement, etc.

"The company rescinded the job offer."

"The board voted to rescind the previous decision after hearing strong objections from several members."

displaying a willingness to start an argument, fight, or war

"The general is bellicose."

"The general is bellicose and always wants to go to war instead of seeking peaceful solutions."

eager to start a fight or argument

"The pugnacious man argued."

"The pugnacious dog barked and growled at every person who walked past the fence."

suggested or understood without being verbally expressed

"There was a tacit agreement."

"There was a tacit agreement between them that they would never discuss the incident again."

unlikely to cause an argument

"The topic is uncontentious."

"The topic is uncontentious and everyone agrees that we should recycle more and waste less."

the act of officially abolishing or ending a law, agreement, etc.

"Abrogation of treaty."

"The abrogation of the treaty caused tension between the two countries last year."

an idea, feeling, or meaning that is implied, suggested, or associated with a word or expression beyond its literal definition

"The word has connotation."

"The word cheap has a negative connotation suggesting poor quality while affordable sounds more positive."

words or actions meant to flatter or charm someone in order to persuade them to do something

"His blandishments failed."

"She saw through his insincere blandishments and refused to be swayed by his flattery."

willingness to do what makes others pleased and accept their opinions

"His complaisance made him easy to work with."

"His excessive complaisance made him agree to everything without thinking carefully."

a difference in interests, views, opinions, etc.

"Divergence in their opinions."

"The divergence in their career aspirations led them to pursue very different paths after graduation."

a loud, forceful, and emotional speech or lecture, intended to persuade or criticize

"The angry man delivered a long harangue."

"The angry harangue from the manager lasted for twenty minutes during the meeting."

the wish to do or have something, especially something improper or foolish

"Strong temptation resisted."

"She resisted the strong temptation to buy the expensive dress yesterday."

the act of validating an agreement by signing it or voting for it

"The treaty awaits ratification by the senate."

"The treaty ratification was completed by the parliament last week after long debates."

official approval or agreement

"The crowd showed its approbation with loud applause."

"The crowd showed its approbation with loud applause and cheers when the hero walked onto the stage to receive his award."

a situation in which all those involved are in complete agreement on something

"The jury reached unanimity."

"There was complete unanimity among all committee members about the final decision."

sharp disagreements between people that last for a long time

"Family feuding continued."

"Family feuding continued for many generations between the two rival clans."

a loud, disorderly quarrel or brawl involving multiple people

"The crowd entered the fray."

"He decided to enter the fray and join the political debate last month."

a difficult situation in which opposing parties cannot reach an agreement

"The negotiations reached an impasse."

"The negotiations reached an impasse and no agreement was possible last week."

a division between a group of people caused by their disagreement over beliefs or views

"The schism divided the church."

"The schism divided the church into two separate denominations that never reconciled their differences."

a violent argument between two groups in which members of each side make attempts to murder the members of the opposing side in retaliation for things that occurred in the past

"He carried out a personal vendetta against his neighbor."

"He pursued a personal vendetta against his former business partner for many years."

to propose an idea or theory for discussion

"Can you advance a theory?"

"The scientist was prepared to advance a bold new hypothesis about the origins of the universe."

to gradually move oneself or a thing into a particular place or position by elusive manipulation

"He will insinuate."

"The spy managed to insinuate himself into the enemy's inner circle undetected."

to encourage someone to do or say something

"The question prompted a thoughtful response."

"The teacher's question prompted a lively discussion among the students about environmental issues."

to cause an agreement or relation to be breached

"He will rupture the deal."

"The politician's inflammatory remarks threatened to rupture the delicate peace negotiations between the two nations."

persuasive in a gentle manner

"She used a coaxing tone."

"She used a coaxing tone to persuade the child to take the medicine without crying or fighting."

serving as a clear sign or signal of something

"The symptom is indicative."

"The dark clouds are indicative of an approaching storm so we should go inside."

the action or process of trying very hard to persuade someone to do something

"The coach's exhortation motivated the team."

"The coach gave a strong exhortation to the team before the important match yesterday."

a short, political argument, particularly between rivals

"A political skirmish occurred."

"The debate quickly devolved into a heated skirmish between the two opposing party leaders."