dissuasion

noun

dis·​sua·​sion di-ˈswā-zhən How to pronounce dissuasion (audio)
: the action of dissuading

Examples of dissuasion in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Speculation has risen about whether Takaichi, who supports nuclear dissuasion, may allow nuclear weapons to be brought into the country, going against the third non-nuclear principle. — ABC News, 9 Aug. 2026 The jury found the use of a weapon in the robbery and the prevention or dissuasion of witnesses from testifying as aggravating factors to Wade’s robbery conviction. — Sean Campbell, Sacbee.com, 1 June 2026 In the instance that fueled the witness-dissuasion conviction, a teen boy, John Doe 2 reportedly suffered a serious head injury after drunkenly hanging from O’Connor’s SUV — driven by another teen — then falling during a joyride in the high school parking lot. — Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 26 May 2026 If anyone figured any of this would dissuade the part of Simpson’s fan base that came to know him as an alternative country artist first, and not someone who does topical disco, that dissuasion did not materialize. — Chris Willman, Variety, 23 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for dissuasion

Word History

Etymology

Middle English dissuasioun, from Middle French or Latin; Middle French, from Latin dissuasion-, dissuasio, from dissuadēre

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of dissuasion was in the 15th century

Rhymes for dissuasion

See All Rhymes for dissuasion

Browse Nearby Words

dissuader
dissuasion
dissuasive
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Dissuasion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dissuasion. Accessed 21 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of rigmarole

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

How to Pronounce the Trickiest Menu Items

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
image of a green cube out of place in a lineup of red spheres
Odd Word Out: Synonyms Vol. 2 Quiz Figure out which word isn't like the others.
See All