dissuasion

noun

dis·​sua·​sion di-ˈswā-zhən How to pronounce dissuasion (audio)
: the action of dissuading

Examples of dissuasion in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
If anyone figured any of this would dissuade the part of Simpson’s fan base that came to know him as an alternative country artist first, and not someone who does topical disco, that dissuasion did not materialize. Chris Willman, Variety, 23 Mar. 2026 In the instance that fueled the witness-dissuasion conviction, a teen boy reportedly suffered a serious head injury after drunkenly hanging from an SUV then falling during a joyride in the high school parking lot. Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 11 Mar. 2026 Despite the dissuasion from their principal, about 70 students walked out of Aug Prep just after noon. Rory Linnane, jsonline.com, 30 Jan. 2026 The metrics changes also erect some dissuasion to loading up a schedule with cupcake opponents. Blake Toppmeyer, USA TODAY, 21 Aug. 2025 Their success makes dissuasion by others futile, administration officials tell us. Axios, 13 Feb. 2025 Needless to say, this has sparked quite a lot of dissuasion in Dylan fan circles. Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 2 July 2024 Initially, the employers countered the organizing campaigns with criticism of unions and other means of dissuasion. Noam Scheiber, New York Times, 22 May 2023 The brief lays out a three-pronged approach: deterrence against North Korean military threats, dissuasion of the regime’s nuclear pursuits through sanctions and pressure, and diplomacy to re-engage Pyongyang in disarmament talks. Min Joo Kim, Washington Post, 26 Nov. 2022

Word History

Etymology

Middle English dissuasioun, from Middle French or Latin; Middle French, from Latin dissuasion-, dissuasio, from dissuadēre

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of dissuasion was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Dissuasion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dissuasion. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster