deter

American

[dih-tur] / dɪˈtɜr /

verb (used with object)

deterred, deterring

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.

deter British

/ dɪˈtɜː /

verb

(tr) to discourage (from acting) or prevent (from occurring), usually by instilling fear, doubt, or anxiety

"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

Other Word Forms

determent noun
deterrability noun
deterrable adjective
deterrer noun
undeterrability noun
undeterrable adjective
undeterrably adverb
undeterring adjective

Etymology

Origin of deter

First recorded in 1570–80; from Latin dēterrēre “to discourage, put off, frighten,” equivalent to dē-, prefix and preposition + terrēre “to frighten, scare”; de-

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.

Broadband provider Optimum labels some of its cables in high-theft areas “Fiber Only” to deter thieves.

From The Wall Street Journal

Instead, National Guard members have largely served as a “visible presence” in public areas as part of a larger effort to deter crime, according to Defense officials.

From The Wall Street Journal

The fact that she was not affiliated with any political party, that women did not have the vote, and that the minimum age for a presidential candidate was 35 did not deter her.

From The Wall Street Journal

This “strategic ambiguity”—backed by aid for Taiwan’s self-defense and a robust military presence in the Pacific—has been key to deterring Beijing.

From The Wall Street Journal

The organization said it was concerned that the preliminary report from Indian authorities prematurely directed responsibility toward Sabharwal, the captain, and would deter deeper investigation of the airline and aircraft manufacturer.

From The Wall Street Journal

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023