The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Persuade \Per*suade"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Persuaded; p. pr. &
   vb. n. Persuading.] [L. persuadere, persuasum; per +
   suadere to advise, persuade: cf. F. persuader. See Per-,
   and Suasion.]
   1. To influence or gain over by argument, advice, entreaty,
      expostulation, etc.; to draw or incline to a determination
      by presenting sufficient motives.
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            Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian. --Acts
                                                  xxvi. 28.
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            We will persuade him, be it possible. --Shak.
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   2. To try to influence. [Obsolescent]
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            Hearken not unto Hezekiah, when he persuadeth you.
                                                  --2 Kings
                                                  xviii. 32.
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   3. To convince by argument, or by reasons offered or
      suggested from reflection, etc.; to cause to believe.
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            Beloved, we are persuaded better things of you.
                                                  --Heb. vi. 9.
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   4. To inculcate by argument or expostulation; to advise; to
      recommend. --Jer. Taylor.
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   Syn: To convince; induce; prevail on; win over; allure;
        entice. See Convince.
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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Persuade \Per*suade"\, v. i.
   To use persuasion; to plead; to prevail by persuasion.
   --Shak.
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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Persuade \Per*suade"\, n.
   Persuasion. [Obs.] --Beau. & Fl.
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WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

persuade
    v 1: win approval or support for; "Carry all before one"; "His
         speech did not sway the voters" [syn: carry, persuade,
         sway]
    2: cause somebody to adopt a certain position, belief, or course
       of action; twist somebody's arm; "You can't persuade me to
       buy this ugly vase!" [ant: deter, dissuade]

Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0:

74 Moby Thesaurus words for "persuade":
   admonish, affect, argue into, assure, be convincing, bend, bias,
   bring, bring home to, bring over, bring round, bring to reason,
   captivate, carry conviction, caution, charge, charm, color, con,
   convert, convict, convince, dispose, draw over, drive home to,
   encourage, enjoin, evangelize, exhort, expostulate, gain,
   gain over, hook, hook in, importune, incite, incline, induce,
   influence, inspire belief, issue a caveat, lead, lead to believe,
   move, outtalk, preach, predispose, press, prevail on, prevail upon,
   prevail with, prompt, proselyte, proselytize, remonstrate, satisfy,
   sell, sell one on, soften up, sway, talk into, talk over, tinge,
   tone, urge, wangle, wangle into, warn, wean, wear down, weigh with,
   win, win over, work