dissuade
Definitions
To talk someone out of doing something; to advise someone against an action
劝阻，劝某人不要做某事
Root Breakdown
Root-deriveddis- (apart, reverse) + suade (from suādēre 'to advise'). The mirror image of persuade: instead of sweet-talking someone toward an action, you advise them *away from* it. The reversal shows in the grammar — dissuade sb FROM doing sth, not 'to do.'
Root suad still carries 4 more wordsUsage Guide
- dissuade sb from doing sth (the standard frame): dissuade her from leaving — note FROM + -ing, the mirror of persuade's 'to do.'
- dissuade sb from sth: dissuade him from the plan.
- Common error: 'dissuade sb to do' is wrong — the dis- reversal pairs with from, not to.
- Register: somewhat formal; in casual speech people often say 'talk someone out of.'
Example Sentences
- 1.
Her friends tried hard to dissuade her from quitting her job.
- 2.
Nothing I said could dissuade him from making the trip alone.
- 3.
The high cost dissuaded many families from buying a new car.
Easily Confused
dissuade vs deter — Both stop someone from acting, but dissuade works through advice and reasoning (you talk them out of it), while deter works through fear or obstacle (a penalty, risk, or barrier discourages them). A friend dissuades you; a heavy fine deters you.