wheedle etymology

Etymology and Origin:

The word "wheedle" originates from the Middle English term "wedelen," which derived from the Old English word "wǣdlian," meaning "to flatter or entice." It emerged during the 15th century and is related to the Old High German word "witilōn," meaning "to deceive or beguile."

Meaning:

To wheedle means to coax or persuade someone into doing something by using flattery, charm, or cunning. It involves a gentle and manipulative approach, often with the intention of getting what one wants without directly asking for it.

Usage:

  • "She wheedled her way into the party by complimenting the hostess."
  • "The salesman wheedled the customer into buying the expensive model."
  • "Tom tried to wheedle information out of his friend by being overly friendly."
  • "The politician wheedled voters by making promises he had no intention of keeping."
  • "The cat wheedled its owner into giving it a treat with its purring."

Synonyms:

  • Cajole
  • Coax
  • Charm
  • Flatter
  • Entice
  • Persuade

Antonyms:

  • Confront
  • Demand
  • Insist
  • Threaten
  • Order

wheedle relate terms

  • adulation

    Etymology Meaning and Origin of Adulation Etymology The word adulation is derived

  • wheedle

    Etymology and Origin The word wheedle originates from the Middle English term wedelen

  • palaver

    Etymology The word palaver comes from the Portuguese word palavra which means word

  • blarney

    Etymology The word blarney is derived from the Irish word bláirnín which means li

  • coax

    Etymology Middle English cacchen from Old French cachier from Latin captiare to c

  • palpitation

    Etymology Latin palpitare to throb tremble From palpare to touch feel gently

  • inveigle

    Etymology Middle English enveiglen from Old French enveigler ultimately from Latin

  • swagger

    Etymology and Meaning The word swagger has its origins in the Middle English word swag

  • coxa

    Etymology Latin coxa Proto Indo European kʷeks Greek κώξυξ kōkuks Meani

  • sweet talk

    Etymology The term sweet talk is a compound word derived from two root words sweet

  • virtual

    Virtual Etymology Meaning The tendency of words to take on a meaning that aligns with t