dissuasive
adjective
dis·sua·sive
di-ˈswā-siv 
-ziv
: tending to dissuade
a dissuasive effect
dissuasively
adverb
dissuasiveness
noun
Examples of dissuasive in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
From a practical standpoint, dissuasive framing helps marketers communicate more effectively by defining the boundaries of their product’s appeal.
—
Jaclyn L. Tanenbaum, Fortune, 6 Jan. 2026
The dissuasive ad drove more engagement and clicks, making the brand feel more specialized and its product more appealing for the right customers.
—Karen Anne Wallach, The Conversation, 6 Jan. 2026
However, the timing of the tracking week may be dissuasive towards any of these albums making too big a jump.
—Andrew Unterberger, Billboard, 5 Nov. 2025
Instead of causing rebellion, those tactics have been largely dissuasive for teens.
—Colette Davidson, The Christian Science Monitor, 12 Dec. 2023
Apple aims to disadvantage independent repair or reconditioning, in favor of the sale of new smartphones or captive repair at prices that are often dissuasive for the consumer.
—José Adorno, BGR, 7 Dec. 2022
Hamburg’s privacy regulator, representing Germany, wanted a more dissuasive fine, citing a range between €7 million and €22 million, according to the European board.
—Sam Schechner, WSJ, 15 Dec. 2020
To critics, dissuasive approaches (often called defensive design or hostile architecture) can be subtly pernicious and even downright cruel.
—Kurt Kohlstedt, Wired, 5 Oct. 2020
There is a third way, which Mexico has little explored: the use of dissuasive, non-lethal force.
—Washington Post, 2 Oct. 2019
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Jaclyn L. Tanenbaum, Fortune, 6 Jan. 2026
The dissuasive ad drove more engagement and clicks, making the brand feel more specialized and its product more appealing for the right customers.
—Karen Anne Wallach, The Conversation, 6 Jan. 2026
However, the timing of the tracking week may be dissuasive towards any of these albums making too big a jump.
—Andrew Unterberger, Billboard, 5 Nov. 2025
Instead of causing rebellion, those tactics have been largely dissuasive for teens.
—Colette Davidson, The Christian Science Monitor, 12 Dec. 2023
Apple aims to disadvantage independent repair or reconditioning, in favor of the sale of new smartphones or captive repair at prices that are often dissuasive for the consumer.
—José Adorno, BGR, 7 Dec. 2022
Hamburg’s privacy regulator, representing Germany, wanted a more dissuasive fine, citing a range between €7 million and €22 million, according to the European board.
—Sam Schechner, WSJ, 15 Dec. 2020
To critics, dissuasive approaches (often called defensive design or hostile architecture) can be subtly pernicious and even downright cruel.
—Kurt Kohlstedt, Wired, 5 Oct. 2020
There is a third way, which Mexico has little explored: the use of dissuasive, non-lethal force.
—Washington Post, 2 Oct. 2019
Cite this Entry
“Dissuasive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dissuasive. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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