What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
dissuade
Example
I tried to dissuade my friend from dropping out of school. [dissuade: verb]
Example
The teacher's warning dissuaded the students from cheating on the exam. [dissuaded: past tense]
discourage
Example
The negative feedback discouraged her from pursuing a career in art. [discouraged: past tense]
Example
Don't let setbacks discourage you from achieving your dreams. [discourage: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Discourage is more commonly used than dissuade in everyday language. Discourage is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while dissuade is less common and typically used in more specific situations.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between dissuade and discourage?
Both dissuade and discourage are formal words that are more likely to be used in professional or academic contexts rather than casual conversation.
