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 of dissuade

• discourage
• deter

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

The gruesome images of tanks blown apart by drones in Ukraine did not dissuade anyone from purchasing these systems. —Simon Shuster, The Atlantic, 27 Mar. 2026

Not even the Vatican taking offense to their swift affair could dissuade Taylor and Burton. —Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 27 Mar. 2026

Platner is racing to define himself to Maine voters who don't know him, while the governor is trying to highlight a past that might dissuade Democratic primary voters from supporting him come June. —Steve Mistler, NPR, 26 Mar. 2026

Miami Marlins manager Clayton McCullough said his team will dissuade its pitchers from calling for a challenge, even though they are allowed, leaving the decision to the catcher. —Juliette Arcodia, NBC news, 24 Mar. 2026

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