deterrence
Americannoun
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.
Vocabulary lists containing deterrence
Commonly Misspelled Words, List 5
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Ronald Reagan, "Tear Down This Wall" (1987)
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This Week in Words: December 16 - 22, 2017
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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.
Pakistan's foreign ministry said Friday the pact meant an attack on any member would be regarded as an attack on all, adding it was "intended to strengthen collective deterrence".
From Barron's ● Aug. 8, 2026
“For Iran, the Strait of Hormuz has become a strategic lever for deterrence, maintaining the regional balance of power, and reshaping the security rules in the Persian Gulf,” said Mostafa Najafi, a Tehran-based security analyst.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 8, 2026
Iran’s maritime deterrence strategy centers around an extensive arsenal of antiship cruise missiles.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 31, 2026
The changes were designed to toughen punishments for terrorists and enhance deterrence against extremism, some officials have said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 15, 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
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
