coax
1 ENTRIES FOUND:
coaxes;
coaxed;
coaxing
coaxes;
coaxed;
coaxing
Britannica Dictionary definition of COAX
[+ object]
1
:
to influence or persuade (a person or animal) to do something by talking in a gentle and friendly way
— often + into
— sometimes followed by to + verb
-
It took almost an hour to coax the cat down from the tree.
-
He wanted to stay home, but I coaxed him into going out.
-
Can we coax her into singing?
-
The ad coaxes customers to try the new product.
2
:
to get (something) by talking in a gentle and friendly way
-
She tried to coax a raise from her boss.
-
He was unable to coax an answer out of her.
3
:
to cause (something) to do something by making a careful and continual effort
-
He coaxed the fire to burn by blowing on it.
-
The plant is difficult to coax into bloom.
— coaxing
noun [noncount]-
He agreed to go after a little gentle coaxing.
