What is the difference between persuade and dissuade?

Answer 1

To persuade means to convince someone to the stand or argument you made. For example:

I needed to persuade my mother to let me go to the concert.

To dissuade means to convince someone away from the stand or argument he or she has made. For example:

I needed to dissuade my mother from grounding me the night before the concert I wanted to attend.

Answer 2

Persuade means to convince someone to do something or believe something, while dissuade means to persuade someone not to do something or believe something. Essentially, persuade is about promoting an action or idea, whereas dissuade is about discouraging it.