dissuade
dih-SWAYD
/dɪˈsweɪd/
To persuade someone not to take a particular course of action.
Specifically means persuading someone AGAINST doing something they were planning to do.
The story behind the word. Dissuade is built from Latin 'dis-' (away from) and 'suadere' (to urge or advise pleasant things). It literally means 'advising someone away' from a decision they were poised to make.
Word relationships
- deter: Deter implies preventing action through fear or obstacles, while dissuade relies on rational argument or advice.
- persuade: Moves someone toward taking an action.
Commonly confused with
- persuade: Persuade encourages action; dissuade turns someone away from action.
Word family
- dissuasion (noun): The act of persuading someone not to do something.
- dissuasive (adjective): Tending to dissuade or discourage.
Collocations
- dissuade from
- try to dissuade
- successfully dissuade
- dissuade someone from doing
Example sentences
- "Her parents tried to dissuade her from dropping out of university during her final term." Personal advice
- "Financial advisors dissuade clients from selling off stocks during temporary market dips." Financial planning
Memory hook
DISSUADE = DIS-SWAY: you DIS-connect their willingness to be SWAYed toward an action. Advise someone away from an action.
When not to use
Do not use when encouraging someone TO do an action; use persuade or exhort.
Fun facts
- The Latin root 'suadere' gives us 'persuade', 'suave' (originally sweet/pleasant), and 'assuage'.
Explore more words
persuade, admonish, coerce, persuasion, persuasive, forestall
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