deterrence

American  

[dih-tur-uhns, -tuhr-, -ter-] / dɪˈtɜr əns, -ˈtʌr-, -ˈtɛr- /

Sometimes deterrency

noun

1. the act of deterring, especially deterring a nuclear attack by the capacity or threat of retaliating.

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deterrence Cultural  

1. A military capability sufficiently strong to discourage any would-be aggressor from starting a war because of the fear of retaliation. (See balance of terror.)

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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.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

deterrence

"We live in an increasingly dangerous and uncertain time, and it's deployments like this, supported by allies and partners including Iceland, that improve our deterrence and defence as part of Nato," he said.

From BBC ● Jul. 6, 2026

The current nuclear countries could reduce their arsenals by a lot, without losing anything in terms of deterrence.

From Salon ● Jun. 15, 2026

Their goal is to restore deterrence by responding to any challenge to their interests and make sure neither the U.S. or Israel come out of the war with a sense they have won.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 9, 2026

For them, victory equals survival and enhanced deterrence, in the shape of acknowledgement of their control of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most strategic waterways.

From BBC ● Jun. 9, 2026

Henry Kissinger, a contemporary politician, wrote: “Deterrence depends, above all, on psychological criteria. For purposes of deterrence, a bluff taken seriously is more useful than a serious threat interpreted as a bluff.”

From "Cosmos" by Carl Sagan