dissuasion
Steering someone away
Dissuasion is the act of talking someone out of doing something—the opposite of persuasion.
Where persuasion moves someone toward action, dissuasion moves them away from it: Despite her dissuasion, he went ahead with the risky investment.
The word is formal and uncommon; most speakers prefer "talking out of" or "discouraging."
Prevention via threatened consequences
- disincentiveFactor discouraging action
- discouragementLoss of confidence
- hindranceBarrier to progress
- impedimentThing that obstructs progress
obstacle · barrier · restraint · inhibition · prevention · constraint · limitation · prohibition
Alert about danger
- advisementCareful thought before deciding
- counselExpert guidance offered
- admonitionMild verbal correction
- forewarningNotice of future trouble
caveat · exhortation · prudence · circumspection · wariness · hesitation · reservation · misgivings
Point challenging another's position
- rebuttalFormal response disputing claims
- objectionExpression of disapproval
- remonstrationFormal expression of disapproval
- refutationDisproving a statement
protest · opposition · challenge · disagreement · dispute · demurral · contestation · contradiction
Unfavorable opinion expressed
- skepticismDisposition toward doubt
- doubtLack of firm belief
- distrustAbsence of confidence
- disbeliefRejection of truth claims
negativity · antipathy · disfavor · censure · criticism · condemnation · reproach · rebuke
deterrence
Prevention via threatened consequences
- disincentiveFactor discouraging action
- discouragementLoss of confidence
- hindranceBarrier to progress
impediment · obstacle · barrier · restraint · inhibition · prevention · constraint · limitation · prohibition · interdiction
warning
Alert about danger
- advisementCareful thought before deciding
- counselExpert guidance offered
- admonitionMild verbal correction
forewarning · caveat · exhortation · prudence · circumspection · wariness · hesitation · reservation · misgivings · apprehension
counterargument
Point challenging another's position
- rebuttalFormal response disputing claims
- objectionExpression of disapproval
- remonstrationFormal expression of disapproval
refutation · protest · opposition · challenge · disagreement · dispute · demurral · contestation · contradiction · dissent
disapproval
Unfavorable opinion expressed
- skepticismDisposition toward doubt
- doubtLack of firm belief
- distrustAbsence of confidence
disbelief · negativity · antipathy · disfavor · censure · criticism · condemnation · reproach · rebuke · admonishment
- protectionbodyguard, armor, gloves, security guard, shield
- discouragementdiscouragement, dejection, defeatism, disappointment, letdown
dissuasionpersuasion
Convincing through reasoning
suasion · encouragement · urging · exhortation · incitement
dissuasionmotivation
Impetus toward a goal
inspiration · incentivization · incitation · emboldening · impetus
persuade, persuasion, persuasive, dissuade, persuaded, persuading, persuades, persuasively, persuasiveness