dissuade

verb

dis·​suade di-ˈswād How to pronounce dissuade (audio)
dissuaded; dissuading
Synonyms of dissuade

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

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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
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.
Of those, the most important will the employment picture, which could dissuade the Fed from hikes, said David Kelly, chief global strategist at JPMorgan Asset Management. — Jeff Cox, CNBC, 31 Aug. 2026 One couple from New Jersey pointed out that with $40 parking, a $23 Honey Deuce each, plus food, the day already cost them more than $100 combined, and having to pay for entry in addition would dissuade them from coming at all. — Lev Akabas, Sportico.com, 28 Aug. 2026 Such payment distortions can force primary care clinicians to chase higher visit counts at the expense of these other activities and dissuade future doctors and advanced care practitioners from entering the field. — Ishani Ganguli, STAT, 28 Aug. 2026 Following one incident with the actor, he was charged with seven felony counts, including assault, injuring a girlfriend and dissuading a witness from prosecuting a crime. — Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 20 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for dissuade

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

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

Rhymes for dissuade

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Browse Nearby Words

dissuadable
dissuade
dissuader
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Cite this Entry

“Dissuade.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dissuade. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

dissuade

verb
dis·​suade dis-ˈwād How to pronounce dissuade (audio)
dissuaded; dissuading
: to persuade or advise not to do something
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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