To "persuade" someone means to?

To "persuade" someone primarily involves inducing them to believe in or accept a particular idea, opinion, or course of action. This process often relies on reasoning, appeal to emotions, or providing supporting evidence that aligns with the beliefs or values of the person being persuaded.

The act of persuasion is fundamentally about influencing someone’s thoughts or decisions, aiming to change their perspective in a constructive manner or solidifying their belief in a certain concept. Therefore, option A aptly captures the essence of persuasion, highlighting that it is about guiding someone towards a new belief or viewpoint.

The other options imply actions that diverge from the concept of persuasion. For instance, encouraging someone to keep their thoughts to themselves does not involve influencing or persuading; rather, it promotes silence. Disagreeing with someone’s opinion does not attempt to change their mind but rather opposes it, while telling someone to change their values is more about commanding change than persuading through discussion or agreement. Thus, option A is the most accurate reflection of the meaning of "persuade."