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.

---

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.)

---

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

Such efforts would strengthen deterrence in the Pacific, Atlantic and waters in the High North, he added.

From BBC • May 30, 2026

Another limitation of asking whether the Iran war undermines deterrence against China is that it treats decisions about war and peace too narrowly.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 21, 2026

Little is known about whether the proactive cyber deterrence that has defined U.S. elections for much of the past decade remains in place in any other form.

From Salon • May 21, 2026

The state has allocated approximately $5.6 million since 2021 for programs to compensate ranchers for animals killed by wolves and to support nonlethal deterrence methods.

From Los Angeles Times • May 16, 2026

What is often called the strategy of nuclear deterrence is remarkable for its reliance on the behavior of our nonhuman ancestors.

From "Cosmos" by Carl Sagan