Dissuade: Mastering a Powerful GRE Vocabulary Word
Explore the meaning, usage, and importance of the word ‘dissuade’ as a valuable addition to your GRE vocabulary. Learn how to use it correctly in sentences and avoid common errors.
Imagine you’re about to make an impulsive purchase, but your friend steps in and convinces you not to buy it.
What your friend just did was dissuade you from making that purchase. Today, we’re going to explore the word dissuade, a valuable addition to your GRE vocabulary arsenal.
Word type: Dissuade is a verb. It’s an action word that describes the act of convincing someone not to do something.
Meaning: To dissuade means to persuade someone not to take a particular course of action, typically by advising against it or showing the disadvantages.
It’s about talking someone out of an idea or plan.
Word history: The word dissuade has Latin roots. It comes from the Latin word dissuadere, which is formed by combining dis, meaning apart or away, and suadere, meaning to urge or persuade.
So, etymologically, it means to urge away from something.
Antonyms: Some antonyms of dissuade include encourage, persuade, urge, and convince.
These words all involve influencing someone to do something, rather than not to do it.
Synonyms: Synonyms for dissuade include discourage, deter, and advise against.
These words all convey the idea of trying to prevent someone from taking a particular action.
Examples use in sentences:
Here are a few examples of how to use dissuade in a sentence: The high cost of tuition did not dissuade her from applying to her dream university.
Despite his parents’ attempts to dissuade him, Tom decided to pursue a career in acting. The rainy weather dissuaded many people from attending the outdoor concert.
Common errors in use: One common error when using dissuade is confusing it with its antonym, persuade.
Remember, when you dissuade someone, you’re convincing them not to do something. Another mistake is using the wrong preposition.
We typically say dissuade someone from doing something, not dissuade someone of something. To wrap up, dissuade is a powerful word that describes the act of talking someone out of an action or decision.
It’s often used in academic and professional contexts, making it an excellent addition to your GRE vocabulary.
Practice using it in your own sentences to fully grasp its meaning and usage. The more you use it, the more natural it will become in your vocabulary.
