dissuade

verb

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

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

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 the series, Joss’ Ken dissuades Poehler’s peppy protagonist Leslie Knope from hosting a local festival on sacred burial grounds. Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 2 June 2025 Still, if a rash can dissuade someone from vaccination, so, too, can misinformation, or an official’s decision to stop recommending a shot. Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 31 May 2025 Newcastle United Players out of contract: Callum Wilson, Jamal Lewis, Mark Gillespie, John Ruddy As The Athletic’s Newcastle writer Chris Waugh reported in February, there is an option for Newcastle to extend Wilson’s contract, but his injury record and high wages may dissuade them from doing so. Rob Tanner, New York Times, 19 May 2025 At the time, Colter believed that Russell (Jensen Ackles) was responsible for killing Dad, and Mom did little to dissuade him. Ryan Schwartz, TVLine, 4 May 2025 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Dissuade.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dissuade. Accessed 14 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

dissuade

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

More from Merriam-Webster on dissuade

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