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

See Examples For:

deterrence

Beijing has to assume the stealthy submarines could be in the region at any time, which enhances deterrence.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 7, 2026

The House Appropriations Committee reached a similar conclusion earlier this year, warning that excessive secrecy can undermine deterrence and hinder cooperation with allies.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 24, 2026

Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs said later that France's President Emmanuel Macron had agreed to start talks on Latvia's "accession to the French nuclear deterrence initiative".

From BBC ● Sep. 23, 2026

Gulf countries have also long bought defence equipment from Germany and have shown interest in start-ups that make drones to bolster NATO's deterrence efforts against Russia.

From Barron's ● Sep. 10, 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

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

---