To "cajole" someone means to do what?

To "cajole" someone means to persuade them through the use of flattery or gentle urging. This term often implies a level of insincerity, where the persuader may use charm, praise, or soft talk to influence the other person’s decision or actions. This aligns perfectly with the idea of using flattery as a tool to convince someone, which makes it the correct choice.

In contrast, encouraging with sincerity would imply a straightforward and honest approach to motivation, which does not capture the essence of "cajoling." Criticizing harshly indicates a negative or confrontational style, which is the opposite of cajoling. Ignoring someone’s concerns would suggest a dismissal rather than an attempt to persuade, further distancing it from the meaning of cajole. Thus, the correct answer effectively conveys the nuanced way in which persuasion can occur through flattery or charm.