dissuadere

Dissuadere is an Italian transitive verb meaning to deter, discourage, or persuade someone not to undertake a specific action. It is commonly used with a person or group as the direct object and with the preposition dal (or dall’ + infinitive) to introduce the undesired action: dissuadere qualcuno dal fare qualcosa. The construction emphasizes a deliberate attempt to prevent a course of action through warning, argument, or advice.

Etymology and sense

The term derives from Latin dissuādēre, formed by the prefix dis- (negation or reversal) and suādēre “to advise, persuade.” In Italian, dissuadere retains the sense of turning someone away from a plan or impulse by reasoned persuasion or caution rather than by force.

Usage notes

Dissuadere is a formal or literary word and is frequently found in journalism, policy discussions, and academic writing, though it remains common in everyday language as well. It connotes a reasoned effort to change someone’s mind rather than a simple warning. Related verbs include scoraggiare (to discourage) and convincere o persuadere (to persuade), which express different directions of influence.

Examples

Il farmacista ha tentato di dissuadere i pazienti dall’assumere dosi eccessive. Le autorità hanno cercato di dissuadere i cittadini dall’uso di pratiche pericolose.

See also

scoraggiare, persuadere, convincere.