dissuade

This verb describes the act of using logic, warnings, or emotional appeals to steer someone away from a planned action. It carries a connotation of intervention, often implying that the speaker believes the intended action is unwise, dangerous, or incorrect. Grammatically, it is almost exclusively paired with the preposition from, following the pattern dissuade someone from doing something. It functions as the direct semantic opposite of persuade, focusing on prevention rather than initiation.