COAX Synonyms: 46 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'coax' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of coax are blandish , cajole , soft-soap , and wheedle . While all these words mean "to influence or persuade by pleasing words or actions," coax implies gentle and persistent words or actions employed to produce a desired effect. // coaxed the cat out of the tree

Q: When could 'blandish' be used to replace 'coax'?

The meanings of blandish and coax largely overlap; however, blandish implies a more open desire to win a person over by effusive praise and affectionate actions. // legislators blandished with promises of support

Q: Where would 'cajole' be a reasonable alternative to 'coax'?

In some situations, the words cajole and coax are roughly equivalent. However, cajole suggests the deliberate use of flattery to persuade in the face of reluctance or reasonable objections. // cajoled him into cheating on the final exam

Q: When is it sensible to use 'soft-soap' instead of 'coax'?

Although the words soft-soap and coax have much in common, soft-soap refers to using smooth and somewhat insincere talk usually for personal gain. // politicians soft-soaping eligible voters

Q: In what contexts can 'wheedle' take the place of 'coax'?

The words wheedle and coax are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, wheedle suggests more strongly than cajole the use of seductive appeal or artful words in persuading. // hucksters wheedling her life's savings out of her

coax

verb

ˈkōks

Definition of coax next

as in to cajole

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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How does the verb coax differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of coax are blandish, cajole, soft-soap, and wheedle. While all these words mean "to influence or persuade by pleasing words or actions," coax implies gentle and persistent words or actions employed to produce a desired effect.

coaxed the cat out of the tree

When could blandish be used to replace coax?

The meanings of blandish and coax largely overlap; however, blandish implies a more open desire to win a person over by effusive praise and affectionate actions.

legislators blandished with promises of support

Where would cajole be a reasonable alternative to coax?

In some situations, the words cajole and coax are roughly equivalent. However, cajole suggests the deliberate use of flattery to persuade in the face of reluctance or reasonable objections.

cajoled him into cheating on the final exam

When is it sensible to use soft-soap instead of coax?

Although the words soft-soap and coax have much in common, soft-soap refers to using smooth and somewhat insincere talk usually for personal gain.

politicians soft-soaping eligible voters

In what contexts can wheedle take the place of coax?

The words wheedle and coax are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, wheedle suggests more strongly than cajole the use of seductive appeal or artful words in persuading.

hucksters wheedling her life's savings out of her

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of coax The season’s final visit by the defending World Series champs coaxed the first sellout crowd of the season for the Minnesota Twins on a perfect summer evening. —

Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 25 June 2026 No studio was interested in a New York cop story mistitled The French Connection, but Billy Friedkin coaxed $17 million out of Fox. —

Peter Bart, Deadline, 25 June 2026 Slate also managed to coax some more towing and payload capacity out of the platform. —

Byron Hurd, The Drive, 24 June 2026 Petrolo is the go-to, who through lower yields and careful handling are coaxing genuine texture and character from a grape few thought capable of it. —

Paul Caputo, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for coax

Recent Examples of Synonyms for coax

Verb

An honest summary would still pass the buck to the voters on a grossly dishonest scheme, but at least the voters might recognize a description that doesn’t cajole, coax and mislead them.

— Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 20 June 2026
After years of lobbying, cajoling – virtually pleading – state lawmakers back in 2024 finally granted the state Lottery an online presence.

— Editorial, Boston Herald, 31 May 2026

Definition of cajole

Verb

Next, the instructor tries luring the child back into the pool with a sparkly pink rubber duck, which does the trick.

— Jonaki Mehta, NPR, 1 July 2026
If the Lakers had only presented an offer sheet to the Jazz to lure Kessler away instead of working on a trade, Utah would have had until July 7 to match the offer.

— Broderick Turner, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026

Definition of lure

Verb

The writer thinks that the person seducing the main character is just some flotsam, hardly worth a second look.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 26 June 2026
Blyth was nominated in the supporting role as Mildred's spoiled daughter, Veda, who seduces her mother's second husband (Zachary Scott), then riddles him with bullets in a jealous rage.

— ABC News, ABC News, 26 June 2026

Definition of seduce

Verb

Obviously, Donnie being over there was enticing to me.

— Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 19 June 2026
For American diners of diverse backgrounds, chop suey struck an enticing balance between novelty and decipherability, which propelled it to national popularity even as the US government moved to exclude Chinese laborers from entering the country in 1882.

— Ashley Rose Young, Bon Appetit Magazine, 18 June 2026

Definition of entice

Verb

Chef Albert was a restaurateur trying to wheedle a good review out of a tough restaurant critic.

— Adam Harrington, CBS News, 1 Apr. 2026
In a bid to rekindle the couple’s honeymoon phase, Yasmin troubleshoots by wheedling a chief executive role for him at payment processing company Tender (run by Max Minghella‘s inscrutable puppet-master Whitney Halberstram), and throwing her husband a lavish costume party for his 40th birthday.

— Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 18 Jan. 2026

Definition of wheedle

Verb

However, Canada’s goal came from Eustáquio, the son of Portuguese parents who Herdman wooed away from that country’s U-21 team in 2019.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 28 June 2026
Pick these up to woo the guests of your next dinner party, or just to woo yourself when the overhead light becomes too overstimulating.

— Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 27 June 2026

Definition of woo

Verb

Yet, the same people who begged for this opportunity for years suddenly want to police the moment.

— Dan Zaksheske OutKick, FOXNews.com, 30 June 2026
Everything from the division of the Peaches and the Plums to Shamea’s tagline this season is a secret cry from Shamea to Porsha, begging for attention under the guise of her own emancipation.

— Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 29 June 2026