WordGarden.iocoaxingly
C2Pronunciation
UK
US
- /kˈoʊksɪŋli/
Meanings
Adverb
in a gently persuasive or encouraging manner
Beyond the definition
To do something coaxingly means to try to get someone to do something through gentle persuasion—using warmth, reassurance, and sometimes flattery, rather than force or blunt demands. Imagine a cat nudging your hand for a treat—that's a coaxing move. It implies a light touch, carefully encouraging someone toward a desired outcome. You might coax a shy child out of hiding or a reluctant friend to join your evening plans. The key is in the delivery: it isn't commanding, but sweetly and patiently persuasive.
Think of a gardener coaxingly training a vine to grow along a trellis—they don't yank it into place, but gently guide and support its growth. Similarly, a parent might coaxingly encourage their child to try vegetables by praising every small success. You can also use the word for tone and manner: someone might speak coaxingly to a nervous dog, or coaxingly suggest, invite, or ask. It's about reducing resistance and building willingness, not cornering someone into compliance.
"Coaxingly" is an adverb that describes how an action is performed—especially when the action involves gentle persuasion. It suggests encouraging someone to do something through charm, reassurance, patient persistence, and (at times) a little flattering sweetness, rather than through pressure or confrontation. The verb "coax" is often traced to an older English word "cokes," meaning a fool or simpleton; early uses could carry a hint of trickery or manipulation, but in modern English the word usually feels softer, emphasizing tact and patience over deceit.
Consider a skilled negotiator who doesn't browbeat the other side, but builds rapport and gently guides the conversation toward agreement—that is acting coaxingly. Or imagine a musician coaxingly drawing beautiful sounds from a vintage instrument: not by forcing the notes, but by working with sensitivity until the right tone appears.
The context often implies quiet influence: one person is trying to move another past hesitation or resistance without making them feel pushed. For example: "She coaxingly asked him about his past, hoping he would finally open up." This suggests she wasn't interrogating him, but creating a safe, inviting space for him to speak. You'll also see the word applied to animals, especially when their behavior feels like a gentle request—nudging, pawing, chirping, or lingering near you until you respond. Ultimately, acting coaxingly is about skillful persuasion that respects the other person's agency while steadily guiding them toward a particular choice or action.
Examples
- 1
Gentle persuasion
"Just taste it once," her mother said coaxingly.
- 2
Animal trust
He held out his hand coaxingly, hoping the frightened dog would come closer.
- 3
Sales email
The sales email asked, almost coaxingly, whether I was ready to upgrade.
See also
Similar
- persuasively
- cajolingly
- wheedlingly
Shades of meaning
- gently
- enticingly
- imploringly
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- say coaxingly
- ask coaxingly
- smile coaxingly
Word family
Explore
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- coaxinglyadverb