cajole
To gently persuade someone by being nice or making promises.
cajole in a sentence
- It took ten minutes to cajole the cat down from the tree with a tin of tuna.
- It took two songs and a bedtime story to cajole my little sister into brushing her teeth.
Try an 11+ style question
Verbal reasoning papers often ask about a word like this.
Which word is closest in meaning to cajole?
- Athreaten
- Bforce
- Ccoax
- Dbully
Show the answer
C: coax. The other three mean the opposite of cajole.
Which word is most nearly opposite in meaning to cajole?
- Atempt
- Bcoax
- Cforce
- Dpersuade
Show the answer
C: force. The other three mean nearly the same as cajole.
Words that mean something similar
coax, persuade, tempt
Words that mean the opposite
force, bully, threaten
More words about behaviour & manners
- caution: The care you take to avoid danger or mistakes.
- cautious: Careful to avoid danger or mistakes.
- chaos: A state of complete confusion, where nothing is in order.
- chivalrous: Polite, kind and brave, especially towards people who need help.
- clemency: The mercy a ruler or judge shows by giving a gentler punishment.
- commend: To praise someone for doing something well.
- compel: To force someone to do something.
- consent: To agree to something or give permission for it.
More words to explore
Sitting the 11+ in Kent, Medway or Buckinghamshire?
Plain-English guides to each test, from the councils’ own pages: Kent Test · Medway Test · Bucks Secondary Transfer Test