deterrent
Americanadjective
noun
-
something that prevents, checks, or suppresses.
a deterrent to crime.
-
something that repels.
Our lemongrass-based bug deterrent is natural, safe, and effective.
-
military strength or an ability to defend a country or retaliate strongly enough to deter an enemy from attacking.
noun
-
something that deters
-
a weapon or combination of weapons, esp nuclear, held by one state, etc, to deter attack by another
adjective
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of deterrent
First recorded in 1820–30; from Latin dēterrent- (stem of dēterrēns ), present participle of dēterrēre; see origin at deter, -ent
Explanation
A deterrent makes you not want to do something. Let's say there's a giant pile of cookies being guarded by an angry dog — the dog is a deterrent. People talk about deterrents most often when discussing crime. The death penalty is supposed to be a deterrent — the idea is that people will be so scared of the death penalty that they won't commit certain crimes. Jail is another deterrent. Teachers also use deterrents — the possibility of getting detention is a deterrent that should encourage students to behave. A deterrent is the opposite of a reward. A reward encourages you to do the right thing, while a deterrent discourages you from doing the wrong thing.
Vocabulary lists containing deterrent
The Book Thief
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"The Hunger Games" Vocabulary from Chapter 1
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This Week in Words: April 14 - 20, 2018
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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.
The original plan for Hinkley Point approved by the government included a so-called 'Acoustic Fish Deterrent'.
From BBC • Oct. 9, 2024
In Congress, Steel sponsored a bill known as the Deterrent Act, which would expand oversight and disclosure requirements related to foreign money and influence in higher education.
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 1, 2024
The APL website said the lab is working on the new Ground-based Strategic Deterrent, the new land-based intercontinental ballistic missile that will replace the current force of Minuteman III ICBMs.
From Washington Times • Aug. 22, 2022
But those options were not simple: Deterrent sounds and smells could also disturb other animals in the fjord and scare them away, Mr. Myhre said.
From New York Times • Aug. 16, 2022
America a "Deterrent Example" In the United States the Constitution has not been in existence more than forty years.
From A History of the Nineteenth Century, Year by Year Volume Two (of Three) by Emerson, Edwin
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.
