deterrence
Americannoun
Etymology
Origin of deterrence
First recorded in 1860–65; deterr(ent) + -ence
Explanation
A deterrence discourages you from doing something. An invisible electric fence is an excellent deterrence for dogs who like to roam outside the yard. You can influence someone's actions by promoting certain behaviors and discouraging others. And it's the discouragement part where deterrence comes in. A deterrence makes you reconsider doing something — usually bad things like stealing or skipping school — because you know the penalty will be harsh. Deterrences make you afraid to try something. So many homeowners hope that a security alarm will be a deterrence to burglars.
Vocabulary lists containing deterrence
Commonly Misspelled Words, List 5
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Ronald Reagan, "Tear Down This Wall" (1987)
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This Week in Words: December 16 - 22, 2017
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Lewis English, a consultant for the Acoustic Fish Deterrence Delivery Group, says the lives of 182 million fish a year are on the line and that fish discos effectively scatter their patrons.
From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 12, 2025
The Deterrence unit later claimed responsibility for another operation in Rafah on Tuesday, announcing the arrest of "hundreds of outlaws" linked to Abu Shabab's and Heles's factions.
From Barron's • Oct. 25, 2025
Mr Hishri was part of the Special Deterrence Force, also known as SDF/Rada, aligned to the interior ministry of the internationally recognised government based in Tripoli.
From BBC • Jul. 18, 2025
Deterrence can be an effective peacekeeper, but it’s unclear how effective, for how long, when it’s not bolstered by diplomatic and institutional guardrails.
From Slate • Aug. 28, 2024
Deterrence implied a kind of balance between the forces of the two superpowers.
From "Spies: The Secret Showdown Between America and Russia" by Marc Favreau
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
