Ever tried sweet-talking someone into doing something? Then you’ve already used the art of cajoling. Let’s break it down.
📘 What Does “Cajole” Mean?
The verb “cajole” means to persuade someone through flattery, gentle urging, or repeated appeals, especially when they are initially reluctant.
Cambridge Dictionary:
“To persuade someone to do something they might not want to do, by pleasant talk and (sometimes false) promises.”
Vocabulary.com:
“Cajole is to persuade with flattery or gentle urging, especially in the face of reluctance.”
🔊 Pronunciation of Cajole
- IPA: /kəˈdʒəʊl/ (British) or /kəˈdʒoʊl/ (American)
- Phonetic: kuh-JOHL
🧾 Word Origin and Etymology
The word “cajole” originates from the French word cajoler, meaning “to coax or flatter.” Initially used in the 17th century, it has evolved into a commonly used English verb.
Timeline:
- 1600s: French cajoler meaning “to chatter or flatter”
- 1630s: First recorded English usage
- Modern: Persuade by soothing or coaxing
📖 Cajole in a Sentence – Real-Life Examples
- “She tried to cajole him into attending the event by promising free food.”
- “Despite his reluctance, his friend cajoled him into going to the gym.”
- “He was cajoled by his manager to take the extra shift with compliments and coffee.”
🆚 Cajole vs. Persuade – What’s the Difference?
| Cajole | Persuade |
|---|---|
| Involves flattery or sweet talk | Can be logical or emotional |
| Often used when someone resists | Broader and more neutral in tone |
| May include gentle manipulation | Usually a straightforward convincing act |
🧩 Synonyms & Antonyms of Cajole
✅ Synonyms:
- Coax
- Sweet-talk
- Wheedle
- Entice
- Flatter
- Butter up
- Inveigle
- Seduce (contextual)
🚫 Antonyms:
Intimidate
Bully
Force
Command
Demand
📝 Grammar Rules: How to Use “Cajole”
✔️ Forms:
- Base form: Cajole
- Past tense: Cajoled
- Present participle: Cajoling
- Third person singular: Cajoles
✔️ Sentence Structure:
- Verb + person + into + verb-ing
- Example: “She cajoled him into cleaning the room.”
📺 Cajole in Pop Culture and Media
- In many romantic comedies, one character cajoles another into going on a date.
- Politicians are often portrayed cajoling voters with flowery speeches and promises.
- Parenting blogs often mention cajoling children to do homework or chores.
🧠 Psychology Behind Cajoling: Why It Works
Cajoling works because it:
- Taps into the need for approval
- Uses positive reinforcement
- Creates a sense of obligation
- Can lower a person’s resistance gradually
In persuasive communication, cajoling is a powerful soft-skill technique used in:
- Marketing
- Leadership
- Parenting
- Negotiations
💼 Business & Workplace Usage
In corporate life, cajoling may happen when:
- A team lead coaxes a reluctant employee into extra work.
- HR sweet-talks employees to attend training.
- Salespeople entice clients with compliments to close deals.
⚠️ Note: Overusing cajoling can backfire if it feels manipulative.
💬 Quotes Using the Word Cajole
“You can cajole someone into doing almost anything if you smile the right way.”
— Anonymous
“Never let yourself be cajoled into mediocrity by comfort.”
— Leadership Principle
📚 Teaching Tip: Explaining Cajole to Beginners
For Kids:
“Cajole means to nicely ask again and again until someone says yes.”
For ESL Learners:
“Use cajole when you’re describing polite or flattering persuasion.”
Quick Tip:
Think of a puppy nudging you sweetly to give it food. That’s cajoling!
🎮 Interactive Exercise
Fill in the blank:
- He tried to _____ his teacher into giving extra time for the assignment.
- They _____ the dog into the bathtub using treats.
Answers:
- cajole
- cajoled
🔗 External References
🌐 Cajole Translations in Other Languages
| Language | Translation |
|---|
| Spanish | Engatusar |
| French | Cajoler |
| German | Beschwatzen |
| Hindi | मनाना (manaana) |
| Odia | ମିଠା କଥା କହି ମନାଇବା |
📱 How to Use “Cajole” in Social Media Captions
- “Trying to cajole my bestie into a spontaneous road trip! 😏✨ #SweetTalkQueen”
- “Monday blues got me cajoling my boss for a work-from-home day. 😂📧 #WFHplease”
- “I cajoled my way into free dessert. Worth it. 🍰💁♀️ #FlatteryWorks”
🎯 Final Thoughts
The word “cajole” goes beyond just persuasion—it’s a subtle art of charm, patience, and emotional intelligence. Whether you’re sweet-talking a friend or trying to motivate a team, knowing how to cajole can be a powerful life skill.
