-ād transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle French or Latin; Middle French dissuader, from Latin dissuadēre, from dis dis- (I) + suadēre to advise, urge — more at suasion
1.
a. archaic : to advise or exhort against (an action)
b. : to advise (a person) against something — usually used with from
a faithful monitor persuading us to whatever in conduct is gentle, honorable, of good repute, and so silently dissuading us from base thoughts, low ends, ignoble gains — A.T.Quiller-Couch
2. : to divert by advice or persuasion : turn from something by reasoning
dissuade a friend from making a grave mistake
could easily dissuade immigrant labor from unionism — American Guide Series: New Jersey
if humanity can be dissuaded from suicide — Sumner Welles
Synonyms:
dissuade , deter , discourage , and divert can mean in common to turn (one) aside from a purpose or project. dissuade suggests the method of argument, advice, or exhortation, implying coaxing or wheedling rather than bullying or browbeating
he wrote a book to dissuade people from the use of tobacco — H.E.Scudder
were not easily dissuaded and sought to have their way several times — A.N.Dragnich
deter usually suggests fear as the cause of the turning aside though it can apply to any influence or consideration that alters the purpose or plan
not deterred by threat of retaliation
lured by desire, and yet deterred by conscience or want of decision — Theodore Dreiser
his pride … must deter him from such foul misconduct — Jane Austen
discourage implies a deterring by undermining spirit or enthusiasm or weakening the intent or sense of purpose in some way
strict laws discourage if they do not prevent crime
nothing in these standards that will prohibit or discourage bakers from making improvements in the nutritional or other qualities of their products — Americana Annual
the public was exhorted to avoid and discourage panic — H.G.Wells
divert implies the turning aside of the interest toward a new object or the turning of the attention in a new direction
divert a person by flattery from causing a scandal
divert a child from mischief by a toy