as in cajoles
to get (someone) to do something by gentle urging, special attention, or flattery
trying to coax their father into taking them on a ski trip, the teens mentioned what a great skier he is
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Recent Examples of coaxes
That’s perhaps for the best, given the ongoing discussions surrounding AI psychosis, a troubling trend that has caused an alarming wave of mental health crises as the tech coaxes some users into spirals of paranoid and delusional behavior.
—
Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 26 Mar. 2026
Amid these absurdities, Manuel coaxes out the cruelty of the resort’s hierarchies.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 4 Feb. 2026
After all, the way FanDuel coaxes a prediction customer onto its online sportsbook or icasino will look very different from Robinhood working to persuade a predictions trader to try trading equities.
—Contessa Brewer, CNBC, 17 Dec. 2025
Whether wasted out of her mind after Hedda Gabler (Tessa Thompson) coaxes Hoss’ imperious literature professor off the wagon, or a sobbing, heaving wreck of herself when the pages of her latest book go missing at a 1950s mansion party.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 30 Nov. 2025
Though the process coaxes similar complexity from the allium, caramelizing shallots is a little different than caramelizing onions.
—CBS News, 21 Nov. 2025
Clateman, who has scraggly chops, a patterned scarf wrapped around his neck, and a gray button-up—like a hippie dressed up for Picture Day—coaxes her into talking.
—Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 6 Nov. 2025
Steve gently coaxes him back to school, where the film crew is causing havoc.
—Damon Wise, Deadline, 5 Sep. 2025
After ordering his security detail to cut the feed on all his cameras, Prater captures Harrison at gunpoint and coaxes Dexter to return to the wine room.
—Nick Caruso, TVLine, 5 Sep. 2025
Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 26 Mar. 2026
Amid these absurdities, Manuel coaxes out the cruelty of the resort’s hierarchies.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 4 Feb. 2026
After all, the way FanDuel coaxes a prediction customer onto its online sportsbook or icasino will look very different from Robinhood working to persuade a predictions trader to try trading equities.
—Contessa Brewer, CNBC, 17 Dec. 2025
Whether wasted out of her mind after Hedda Gabler (Tessa Thompson) coaxes Hoss’ imperious literature professor off the wagon, or a sobbing, heaving wreck of herself when the pages of her latest book go missing at a 1950s mansion party.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 30 Nov. 2025
Though the process coaxes similar complexity from the allium, caramelizing shallots is a little different than caramelizing onions.
—CBS News, 21 Nov. 2025
Clateman, who has scraggly chops, a patterned scarf wrapped around his neck, and a gray button-up—like a hippie dressed up for Picture Day—coaxes her into talking.
—Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 6 Nov. 2025
Steve gently coaxes him back to school, where the film crew is causing havoc.
—Damon Wise, Deadline, 5 Sep. 2025
After ordering his security detail to cut the feed on all his cameras, Prater captures Harrison at gunpoint and coaxes Dexter to return to the wine room.
—Nick Caruso, TVLine, 5 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for coaxes
Verb
-
Emily cajoles Sylvie into a meeting with Nico and Marcello.—
Jessica M. Goldstein,
Vulture,
19 Dec. 2025
-
Guardiola, usually a manager who passionately cajoles his players on the sidelines, cut a far more demure figure in the second half.—
Jordan Campbell,
New York Times,
1 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Borage An annual herb with bright bluish-purple flowers, borage entices important insects to the garden.—
Lauren David,
Martha Stewart,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Loot boxes in the crosshairs James alleges Valve entices players to pay for a chance to win a rare virtual item, and that those rare items can be traded for real money in accordance with their rarity.—
Jesse Zanger,
CBS News,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Intrigued, the Duke secretly seduces Gilda, breaks her heart and destroys Rigoletto’s life.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
22 Mar. 2026
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The victim of his sacrifice is Gretchen, a virgin whom Faust seduces and abandons in his devilish reverie, and who kills their illegitimate child.—
Merve Emre,
New Yorker,
1 Dec. 2025
Verb
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As the President insults allies, woos dictators, and spurns long-standing commitments, Rubio has to convince his counterparts that America will not entirely abandon its friends.—
Dexter Filkins,
New Yorker,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Newly opened Fowlescombe Farm, a 450-acre estate in south Devon, England, where Tamworth piglets and Manx Loaghtan sheep roam free and wildflowers are encouraged to be picked, lures guests with the promise of slow living.—
Jen Murphy,
Condé Nast Traveler,
22 Apr. 2026
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At the same time, Katie gets abducted by a mysterious neighbor (Hayat Kamille), who lures her in with her favorite chocolates.—
Gregory Nussen,
Deadline,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Festivalgoer Jim Strait urges fans to take the sun seriously, as well.—
David Harris,
SPIN,
27 Apr. 2026
-
The League of Women Voters urges our legislators to reject any attempt to redraw legislative or congressional maps before the 2030 census.—
Allyson Meyers,
Sun Sentinel,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Fingal, a more scholarly type, begs to differ.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
21 Apr. 2026
-
But Caitlin begs Vix to come to her wedding, to be her maid of honor.—
Peter White,
Deadline,
21 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Coaxes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/coaxes. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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