dissuade

verb

dis·​suade di-ˈswād 

dissuaded; dissuading

transitive verb

1

a

: to advise (a person) against something

… dissuading us from base thoughts, low ends, ignoble gains …

—A. T. Quiller-Couch

b

archaic : to advise against (an action)

2

: to turn from something by persuasion

unable to dissuade him from going

dissuader noun

Synonyms

• deter
• discourage
• inhibit

Examples of dissuade in a Sentence

Our warnings did not dissuade them.

tried to dissuade her from her intention to drop out of college

Recent Examples on the Web

Stagnant incomes, instability over job prospects and a poor social security system have dissuaded Chinese young people from having more babies. —Anniek Bao, CNBC, 21 June 2025

Khamenei himself was in Israel’s crosshairs, although President Donald Trump dissuaded the Israelis from assassinating him, fearing an even deeper escalation. —Daniel Depetris, Twin Cities, 20 June 2025

Second, high-deductible health plans dissuade employees from receiving medical care. —Peter Ubel, Forbes.com, 19 June 2025

Data from the National Retail Federation and UPS’ Happy Returns shows that about two-thirds of consumers said a poor experience with returns would dissuade them from shopping again with the same brand or retailer. —Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 18 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle French or Latin; Middle French dissuader, from Latin dissuadēre, from dis- + suadēre to urge — more at sweet

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for dissuade

• afraid
• allayed
• arcade
• arrayed
• assayed
• barmaid
• betrayed
• blockade
• bridesmaid
• brigade
• brocade
• buffeted

Kids Definition

dissuade

verb

dis·​suade dis-ˈwād 

dissuaded; dissuading

: to persuade or advise not to do something