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View synonyms for

coax

1

[ kohks ]

verb (used with object)

  1. to influence or persuade to do something by gentle urging, smooth talk, flattery, etc.:

    He tried to coax her to sing, but she refused.

  2. to obtain by coaxing:

    We coaxed the secret from him.

  3. to manipulate to a desired end by adroit handling or persistent effort:

    He coaxed the large chair through the door.

  4. Obsolete.
    1. to fondle.
    2. to fool; deceive.


verb (used without object)

  1. to use gentle persuasion.

coax

2

[ koh-aks, koh-aks ]

noun

Electricity.

coax

1

/ əʊ /

verb

  1. to seek to manipulate or persuade (someone) by tenderness, flattery, pleading, etc
  2. tr to obtain by persistent coaxing
  3. tr to work on or tend (something) carefully and patiently so as to make it function as one desires

    he coaxed the engine into starting

  4. obsolete.
    tr to caress
  5. obsolete.
    tr to deceive
“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

coax

2

/ ˈəʊæ /

noun

  1. short for coaxial cable
“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
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Derived Forms

  • ˈDz, noun
  • ˈDz澱Բ, adverb
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Other Word Forms

  • Dz· noun
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Word History and Origins

Origin of coax1

First recorded in 1580–90; verb use of obsolete cokes “fool,” perhaps variant of coxcomb ( def )

Origin of coax2

First recorded in 1945–50; by shortening
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Word History and Origins

Origin of coax1

C16: verb formed from obsolete noun cokes fool, of unknown origin
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

The world, and countless generations of interactions with it, coaxed our brains to evolve in the unique way that humans perceive reality.

From

She coaxed the two back into a creative relationship in the mid-aughts, which resulted in a run of stand-up shows in 2008.

From

There’s a long tradition, especially in Asia, of desserts that borrow from the savory — leaning into umami, coaxing sweetness out of ingredients more often found in soups than sweets.

From

He was coaxed back to acting by Martin Scorsese and his offer of the role in Gangs of New York.

From

Tropper and his writers try to validate our disdain for the greedy while coaxing us to feel something for the people chained to their castles.

From

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