deter
to discourage or restrain from acting or proceeding: The large dog deterred trespassers.
to prevent; check; arrest: timber treated with creosote to deter rot.
to repel: Strongly scented marigolds planted among the melons are supposed to deter beetles.
Origin of deter
1Other words from deter
- de·ter·ment, noun
- de·ter·ra·ble, adjective
- de·ter·ra·bil·i·ty [dih-tur-uh-bil-i-tee], /dɪˌtɜr əˈbɪl ɪ ti/, noun
- de·ter·rer, noun
- un·de·ter·ra·bil·i·ty, noun
- un·de·ter·ra·ble, adjective
- un·de·ter·ra·bly, adverb
- un·de·ter·ring, adjective
Words Nearby deter
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use deter in a sentence
Those burdens, while they seem small, could also deter people who need the vaccine from getting it.
Others have been deterred by fear of the virus, especially in jobs at restaurants, hotels and entertainment venues.
Fed chair: Unemployment rate was closer to 10 percent, not 6.3 percent, in January | Rachel Siegel | February 10, 2021 | Washington PostSam Lemmo, who oversees the department’s Office of Conservation and Coastal Lands, has reasoned that the sandbags and burritos deter property owners from building illegal seawalls.
Hawaii’s Beaches Are Disappearing. New Legislation Could Help ... if It’s Enforced. | by Sophie Cocke, Honolulu Star-Advertiser | February 7, 2021 | ProPublicaI get to wear a mask all the time that deters microparticles — and smells.
I’m autistic. I’m hoping I can wear a mask for the rest of my life. | Christine M. Condo | February 2, 2021 | Washington PostWe know current laws deter testing and create additional barriers for vulnerable populations.
Va. Senate committee approves HIV decriminalization bill | Philip Van Slooten | February 2, 2021 | Washington Blade
Security guards have also been posted to add some muscle (but this has done little to deter vandals in past years).
They knew they might see things that will disturb them, but could not deter them from their duty.
Any Outrage Out There for Ramos and Liu, Protesters? | Mike Barnicle | December 22, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTThis loan has done nothing to deter the hardliners: just ask the current occupants of Evin prison.
Britain Has Lost Its Marbles: Elgin Loan Will Appease Putin | Geoffrey Robertson | December 5, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTThe program, Satellite Sentinel Project, is designed to document and deter atrocities against civilians.
Meet Amal Alamuddin, George Clooney’s Wife | Lizzie Crocker, Chris Allbritton | September 28, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTAssassinations of community leaders both weaken local coordination against ISIS and deter potential informants.
Who the U.S. Should Really Hit in ISIS | Daniel Trombly, Yasir Abbas | September 23, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTStorms, fires, rail disasters, major accidents—even death—shall not deter.
David Lannarck, Midget | George S. HarneyThe perilous adventures which our friends had encountered on their expedition did not deter them from further enterprises.
Jack Harkaway's Boy Tinker Among The Turks | Bracebridge HemyngIf family considerations deter you from taking what perhaps is an insane risk, I shall not expect you to join me.
In Search of the Unknown | Robert W. ChambersNor should a common interest with Mr. Croker and certain of that gentleman's retainers in the Port Chester railway deter him.
The Onlooker, Volume 1, Part 2 | VariousHe raises difficulties diligently enough, but it is only that they may be the better overcome, not that they may deter.
The Life of Nelson, Vol. I (of 2) | A. T. (Alfred Thayer) Mahan
British Dictionary definitions for deter
/ (dɪˈtɜː) /
(tr) to discourage (from acting) or prevent (from occurring), usually by instilling fear, doubt, or anxiety
Origin of deter
1Derived forms of deter
- determent, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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