DISSUADE Synonyms: 16 Similar and Opposite Words

dissuade

verb

di-ˈswād

Definition of dissuade

as in to discourage

to steer (a person) from an activity or course of action tried to dissuade her from her intention to drop out of college

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of dissuade The high risk of – and challenges of addressing – oil spills and other safety incidents in the hostile Arctic climate are another dissuading factor, as are environmental costs of operating there. — Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026 Mulch also helps suppress weeds and dissuades strawberry pests like slugs. — Michelle Mastro, Architectural Digest, 14 Aug. 2026 Trump may be taking a risk by leaning into this more, though, because Democrats may be dissuaded by his close involvement in the bill. — Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 11 Aug. 2026 Cloobeck, 64, was arrested in May and charged with three counts of attempting to dissuade a witness from testifying and one count of harassment for making annoying phone calls, according to a criminal complaint. — James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 7 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for dissuade

Recent Examples of Synonyms for dissuade

Verb

This altruistic philosophy, however, doesn't discourage Obeid from partnering with, or promoting trendy food businesses.

— Lyndsay C. Green, Freep.com, 30 Aug. 2026
Moving these forces back from the likely front would keep its options open and discourage risk-taking by eastern NATO members.

— JENNIFER KAVANAGH, Foreign Affairs, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of discourage

Verb

Around Paris, Toulouse and Marseilles, local policies that deter suburban sprawl and promote new housing in city centers have slowed expansion of outer suburbs, a recent study found.

— Michael Finnegan, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026
Despite their apparent effectiveness at deterring speeding, cities have been slow to embrace rest in red.

— Jeff McMurray, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of deter

Browse Nearby Words

dissonant

dissuade

dissuaded

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Dissuade.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dissuade. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of dissuade

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

dissonant

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Popular in Wordplay

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Games & Quizzes