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

Example Sentences

He began the necessary job of transferring to networks of regional allies more of the responsibility for global deterrence.

From The Wall Street Journal

That makes restoring deterrence even more important for Europe—and the U.S.

From The Wall Street Journal

Administration officials have characterized the shift as pragmatic deterrence that forces Taipei to fund its own defense capabilities while avoiding symbolic gestures that could grant Beijing a pretext for a Ukraine-style conflict.

From The Wall Street Journal

Apostolos Tzitzikostas, European commissioner for transport and tourism, stressed that Europe doesn’t want a war with Russia, but that it is introducing these measures as a deterrence.

From The Wall Street Journal

Which is why punishment and deterrence are so important.

From Los Angeles Times