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 reminder didn’t dissuade at least five park visitors from participating in a 2023 brawl that was captured on video, showing a woman and man throwing punches at each other and wrestling before others joined in. —Los Angeles Times, 6 Jan. 2026

By providing the Kichwa additional education and alternative sources of income, they’re dissuaded from hunting the more incredible animals in the rainforest. —Noah Lederman, Robb Report, 3 Jan. 2026

Thursday’s loss should not dissuade the Red Raiders from further commitment. —Shawn McFarland, Dallas Morning News, 2 Jan. 2026

Uber officials argue the measure would put more money in the pockets of car accident victims, but wouldn’t dissuade lawyers from taking good cases. —Andrew Graham, Sacbee.com, 31 Dec. 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