Wheedling

Pronunciation: /ˈwidlɪŋ/

Definitions of wheedling

verb to try to persuade someone to do something by using smooth or flattering words

Example Sentences

A1 She tried wheedling her parents into letting her stay out past curfew.

A2 The salesman was wheedling the customer to buy the more expensive product.

B1 The politician was skilled at wheedling votes from undecided voters.

B2 The employee wheedled her boss into giving her a raise.

C1 The con artist was expert at wheedling money out of unsuspecting victims.

C2 The lawyer wheedled the jury into believing his client's innocence.

Examples of wheedling in a Sentence

formal The salesman tried wheedling the customer into purchasing the more expensive option.

informal She's always wheedling her way into getting what she wants.

slang Stop wheedling me for answers, I don't know either!

figurative Her wheedling smile could charm even the grumpiest of individuals.

Grammatical Forms of wheedling

• past tense: wheedled
• plural: wheedlers
• comparative: more wheedling
• superlative: most wheedling
• present tense: wheedle
• future tense: will wheedle
• perfect tense: have wheedled
• continuous tense: is wheedling
• singular: wheedler
• positive degree: wheedling
• infinitive: to wheedle
• gerund: wheedling
• participle: wheedling

Origin and Evolution of wheedling

First Known Use: 1601 year

Language of Origin: Middle English

Story behind the word: The word 'wheedling' originated from the Middle English word 'wethelen' which means to entice or persuade by flattery.

Evolution of the word: Over time, the word 'wheedling' has retained its original meaning of using flattery or persuasion to get someone to do something, but it has also taken on a slightly negative connotation of being manipulative or insincere in one's attempts to persuade.