[学个词 wheedle] wheedle ~ v. 以甜言蜜语诱惑; 用甜言蜜语哄骗；用花言巧语说服；诓骗;

Wheedle

　　Definition:

　　transitive verb

　　1: to influence or entice by soft words or flattery

　　2: to gain or get by wheedling

　　wheedle one's way into favor

　　intransitive verb

　　: to use soft words or flattery

　　Did you know?

　　Wheedle Comes Up Often in Literature

　　Wheedle has been a part of the English lexicon since the mid-17th century, though no one is quite sure how it wheedled its way in. (It has been suggested that the term may have come from the Old English word wǽdlian, which meant "to beg," but this is far from certain.) Be careful not to confuse wheedle with the similar-sounding weasel. While both words are applied in situations in which someone is trying to persuade another person, weasel is especially apt in cases in which the persuader is being clever or dishonest in their efforts, while wheedle always specifically involves soft words and flattery.

　　Synonyms

　　-blandish,blarney,cajole,coax,palaver,soft-soap,sweet-talk

　　Choose the Right Synonym for wheedle

　　CAJOLE, COAX, SOFT-SOAP, BLANDISH, WHEEDLE mean to influence or persuade by pleasing words or actions.

　　CAJOLE suggests the deliberate use of flattery to persuade in the face of reluctance or reasonable objections.

　　cajoled him into cheating on the final exam

　　COAX implies gentle and persistent words or actions employed to produce a desired effect.

　　coaxed the cat out of the tree

　　SOFT-SOAP refers to using smooth and somewhat insincere talk usually for personal gain.

　　politicians soft-soaping eligible voters

　　BLANDISH implies a more open desire to win a person over by effusive praise and affectionate actions.

　　legislators blandished with promises of support

　　WHEEDLE suggests more strongly than cajole the use of seductive appeal or artful words in persuading.

　　hucksters wheedling her life's savings out of her

　　Example Sentences

　　1 He wheedled quite a bit of money from her.

　　2 She pleaded and wheedled, but I wouldn't be swayed.

　　3 In the final scenes, when Lucia and Mia wheedle their way into his suite for a threesome, Dom can’t hold onto his guilty conscience. - Chron, 6 Nov. 2022

　　4 The aim of Just Stop Oil and Letzte Generation has been to wheedle people for not caring more about the climate crisis. - Robinson Meyer, The Atlantic, 27 Oct. 2022

　　5 Leibovich is, more subtly, a brilliant interviewer able to wheedle not-quite-admissions from his subjects, who give him all the access in the world. - Joe Klein, Washington Post, 8 July 2022