ENGLISH
REFERENCE

dissuade

v.
C1 Advanced US //dɪˈsweɪd// UK //dɪswˈeɪd// dis·suade

v. to persuade someone not to do something. You use this when you give someone reasons why their plan is a bad idea.

v. to persuade someone against a particular course of action. Transitive; typically requires a direct object followed by a prepositional phrase.


SIMPLE

I tried to dissuade him from quitting his job.

CONTEXTUAL

The high cost of the project might dissuade the board from approving the expansion this year.

COMPLEX

Despite her parents' attempts to dissuade her from pursuing a career in the arts, she remained steadfast in her commitment to her studies.

Synonyms
Antonyms
Origin

From Middle French dissuader, from Latin dissuādeō (“I urge differently”, “I advise against”, “I dissuade”), from dis- (“away from”, “asunder”) + suādeō (“I recommend”, “I advise”, “I urge”).

Usage

The verb is transitive and almost always takes the preposition 'from' followed by a gerund or noun phrase.

Pitfall

dissuade him to godissuade him from goingUnlike 'persuade', which takes a 'to-infinitive', 'dissuade' requires 'from' plus the '-ing' form.

© 2026 English Reference