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

Officials and analysts say the goal is “strategic indispensability”—building deterrence by mutually assured economic destruction.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026

The opportunities for deterrence by Iran’s neighbors, with the U.S. acting as helper, remain wide and promising.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 27, 2026

The moves also are convincing Arab states they might need to deliver some punishment to re-establish deterrence, people familiar with the matter said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 24, 2026

The UK has operated continuous at-sea deterrence since 1969, with first Polaris and then Trident missiles stored on and launched from nuclear-powered submarines with the capacity to remain submerged at sea for months.

From BBC • Mar. 21, 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