Quick answer
Cajole means to persuade with flattery, coaxing, or gentle pressure. It is usually pronounced kuh-JOHL, and today it is still readable to modern audiences, even if it sounds more deliberate than everyday speech.
Word page
Cajole
To cajole means to persuade with flattery, coaxing, or gentle pressure. It belongs to ridiculous verbs and works best in comic action, lively dialogue, and verbs that do more than plain “move” or “say”. It is still understandable today, but it usually sounds more vivid and deliberate than ordinary modern vocabulary.
At a glance
verbcomical-actionexpressive
How to say it
Meaning in plain English
If you cajole, you to persuade with flattery, coaxing, or gentle pressure. The verb usually suggests something more expressive, comic, or textured than a plain everyday substitute.
Why this word feels absurd
Cajole feels absurd because it has more texture than the plain alternative, giving the idea an extra bit of theatrical, comic, or overbuilt energy.
Origin and history
The origin note most often attached to cajole is: probably from French cajoler, meaning to chatter or coax. Where the history is not fully settled, the safest thing to say is that the word’s sound and tone have helped keep it memorable.
Is this word still used today?
Cajole is uncommon today, but it still makes sense to modern readers because the tone and meaning come across quickly once you see it in context.
Example sentences
- The interns began to cajole at once when the projector failed again.
- He cajoleed through the explanation so fast that nobody trusted the final answer.
- In the play, nervous witnesses cajole whenever the magistrate clears his throat.
- She refused to cajole about the crisis and gave the room a usable plan instead.
- The children cajoleed excitedly after finding the attic full of costumes.
When should you use this word?
Use cajole when a plain action verb feels too flat and you want the sentence to carry more motion, tone, or comic texture. It works especially well in comic action, lively dialogue, and verbs that do more than plain “move” or “say”.
Similar words
coax, wheedle, flatter, persuade
Opposite or contrasting words
bully, compel, forbid
Common questions
- What does cajole mean? to persuade with flattery, coaxing, or gentle pressure.
- How do you pronounce cajole? It is commonly pronounced kuh-JOHL.
- Is cajole still used today? Cajole is uncommon today, but it still makes sense to modern readers because the tone and meaning come across quickly once you see it in context.
- When should you use cajole? Use cajole when a plain action verb feels too flat and you want the sentence to carry more motion, tone, or comic texture. It works especially well in comic action, lively dialogue, and verbs that do more than plain “move” or “say”.
- What words are similar to cajole? Similar words include coax, wheedle, flatter, and persuade.
Editorial note
Edited by Absurd Words. Last updated: May 9, 2026. See the editorial policy for how definitions, examples, labels, and update checks are handled on the site.