Coaxer

/ˈkoʊksər/ noun

Definition

A person who persuades or manipulates someone else gradually and gently, using encouragement, charm, or persistence rather than force.

Etymology

From 'coax' (to persuade gradually) + '-er' (a suffix forming agent nouns meaning 'one who does'). This emerged as a standard term for someone skilled at this particular type of persuasion.

Kelly Says

Great coaxers appear everywhere in nature and society—think of a mother bird coaxing chicks out of the nest, or a therapist coaxing trauma out of a patient—it's a skill that requires patience and deep understanding of what makes the other party resistant.

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