dissuader

Dissuader is a French transitive verb meaning to deter or discourage someone from doing something. It is used with the preposition de followed by an infinitive: dissuader quelqu’un de faire quelque chose. The aim is to prevent an action by warning, persuading, or offering alternatives. Etymology: from Latin dissuadere, formed with dis- (apart) and suadere (to advise, persuade).

Conjugation and usage: it is a regular -er verb. Present tense: je dissuade, tu dissuades, il dissuade, nous dissuadons, vous dissuadez, ils dissuadent. Passé composé: j’ai dissuadé, tu as dissuadé, il a dissuadé, nous avons dissuadé, vous avez dissuadé, ils ont dissuadé. Imperfect: je dissuadais, tu dissuadais, il dissuadait, nous dissuadions, vous dissuadiez, ils dissuadaient. Future: je dissuaderai, tu dissuaderas, il dissuadera, nous dissuaderons, vous dissuaderez, ils dissuaderont. Participle passé: dissuadé / dissuadée; present participle: dissuadant.

Nouns, adjectives and related terms: the noun is dissuasion (the act of deterring). The associated adjective is dissuasif (masc.), dissuasive (fem.). Dissuader is commonly used in formal or policy contexts: for example, to dissuade someone from smoking or from committing a risky act; campaigns may aim to dissuade youth from certain behaviors.

Examples: Les autorités cherchent à dissuader les jeunes de consommer des substances illicites. Une campagne de prévention produit un effet dissuasif en informant des risques.