cajole

[ kuh-johl ]
See synonyms for cajole on Thesaurus.com
verb (used with or without object),ca·joled, ca·jol·ing.
  1. to persuade by flattery or promises; wheedle; coax.

Origin of cajole

1
1635–45; <French cajoler to cajole or chatter like a jaybird, apparently derivative of *cajole birdcage (<Late Latin caveola <Latin cave(a) cage + -ola -ole1) + -er infinitive suffix

Other words from cajole

  • ca·jole·ment, noun
  • ca·jol·er, noun
  • ca·jol·ing·ly, adverb
  • un·ca·jol·ing, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use cajole in a sentence

  • But recalling herself, she added cajolingly: "The avowal at least makes me hope that you will accept the services of my husband."

  • "The Perzils are giving a vilbar party tomorrow night," Professor Slood said cajolingly.

    The Vilbar Party | Evelyn E. Smith
  • "Cloth—or something," he said cajolingly, slyly, as if to worm my secret out of me.

    Sea and Sardinia | D. H. Lawrence
  • The young woman put her arms around his neck, and began to talk cajolingly.

    Gordon Keith | Thomas Nelson Page
  • Margaret rose, and, going up to him, took his arm and looked into his face cajolingly.

    "George Washington's" Last Duel | Thomas Nelson Page

British Dictionary definitions for cajole

cajole

/ (kəˈdʒəʊl) /


verb
  1. to persuade (someone) by flattery or pleasing talk to do what one wants; wheedle; coax

Origin of cajole

1
C17: from French cajoler to coax, of uncertain origin

Derived forms of cajole

  • cajolement, noun
  • cajoler, noun
  • cajolery, noun
  • cajolingly, adverb

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012