Well-read · Arguing & persuading
Wheedle: meaning, pronunciation and examples
Wheedle verb. To coax someone into giving or doing something by flattery or charm.
How to say it
WEE-dul/ˈwiːd(ə)l/
2 syllables, stressed on the first (WEE). Forms: wheedled.
Wheedle in a sentence
The children wheedled an extra half hour of telly out of the babysitter.
He tried to wheedle the wifi password from the café owner.
Similar and opposite
Similar:
Where wheedle comes from
First recorded in the 17th century; its origin is uncertain.
Test yourself
Which word fills the gap?
He tried to _____ the wifi password from the café owner.
- remonstrate
- rebut
- wheedle
Show the answer
wheedle: He tried to wheedle the wifi password from the café owner.