Sentence:  With the base unleashed, the White House was unable to broker a compromise, either by <WSD>persuasion</WSD> or by pressure. 
Meaning of the word marked with <WSD> tags:  The act of persuading, or trying to do so; the addressing of arguments to someone with the intention of changing their mind or convincing them of a certain point of view, course of action etc. (from 14th c.)