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.
In theory, those penalties should dissuade exorbitant spending. — Justin Birnbaum, Sportico.com, 29 Oct. 2026 But there’s little evidence that long runtimes are dissuading moviegoers. — Jake Coyle, Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 2026 Higher interest rates are a pain, but not enough to dissuade them from building. — John Towfighi, CNN Money, 20 Oct. 2026 The easiest, cheapest way to dissuade rats from settling in your yard is with what Kohl calls habitat modification. — Blythe Copeland, Martha Stewart, 17 Oct. 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 Nov. 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
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