dissuasive

adjective

dis·​sua·​sive di-ˈswā-siv How to pronounce dissuasive (audio)
-ziv
: tending to dissuade
a dissuasive effect
dissuasively adverb
dissuasiveness noun

Examples of dissuasive in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web 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 Central American migrants typically spend 21 days or longer to reach the U.S. border, and word of harsher treatment from U.S. authorities will take longer to reach their countries and have a dissuasive effect, administration officials said. Nick Miroff, Anchorage Daily News, 7 June 2018

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'dissuasive.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1609, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of dissuasive was in 1609

Dictionary Entries Near dissuasive

Cite this Entry

“Dissuasive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dissuasive. Accessed 11 Oct. 2024.

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