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.
Needless to say, this has sparked quite a lot of dissuasion in Dylan fan circles. — Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 2 July 2024 The metrics changes also erect some dissuasion to loading up a schedule with cupcake opponents. — Blake Toppmeyer, USA TODAY, 21 Aug. 2025 Despite the dissuasion from their principal, about 70 students walked out of Aug Prep just after noon. — Rory Linnane, jsonline.com, 30 Jan. 2026 Initially, the employers countered the organizing campaigns with criticism of unions and other means of dissuasion. — Noam Scheiber, New York Times, 22 May 2023 See All Example Sentences for dissuasion

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

Rhymes for dissuasion

See All Rhymes for dissuasion

Browse Nearby Words

dissuader
dissuasion
dissuasive
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Dissuasion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dissuasion. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of gambol

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
hangman letters and game
Hangman Lightning Round Figure out which word fits in the blanks.
See All