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

Defendants have claimed the case is a strategic lawsuit against public participation, also known as a SLAPP suit, which legal experts say are meant to dissuade the public from vocal criticisms. — Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 29 June 2026

Modest to a fault, Haaland’s assessment of Norway’s chances against France shouldn’t dissuade anyone from getting an early start to the weekend. — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 26 June 2026

That was not enough to dissuade Democrats who pushed through the measure after lengthy debate. — Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 25 June 2026

That, however, hasn’t dissuaded educators nationwide who’ve adopted AI teaching assistants such as Magic School and Khanmigo, an AI tutor developed by Khan Academy. — Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 24 June 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