dissuade
Persuade someone not to take a particular course of action
Examples
In a meeting
“I tried to dissuade them from launching before the product was ready.”
Over coffee
“Nothing I said could dissuade her from taking that job.”
Why this word
discourage
Dissuade aims to change someone's decision through persuasion, while discourage may simply dampen enthusiasm without active persuasion
prevent
Dissuade uses reasoning to convince someone not to act, while prevent physically stops or blocks action
deter
Dissuade uses persuasive argument, while deter may use threats, warnings, or obstacles
Usage tip
The opposite of persuade. Use when actively trying to prevent an action through reasoning.
Etymology
Latin 'dissuadere' — dis- (apart, away) + suadere (to urge, advise)
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Related words
deter
To discourage someone from taking an action
compel
To force or drive someone to do something; to be irresistibly interesting
wield
To hold and use power, influence, or a tool effectively
persuade
Cause someone to believe or do something through reasoning or argument
rhetoric
The art of effective or persuasive speaking or writing
rebut
Claim or prove that evidence or an accusation is false