deterrent

[ dih-tur-uhnt, -tuhr-, -ter- ]
/ dɪˈtɜr ənt, -ˈtʌr-, -ˈtɛr- /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR deterrent ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

serving or tending to deter.

noun

something that deters: a deterrent to crime.
military strength or an ability to defend a country or retaliate strongly enough to deter an enemy from attacking.

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Origin of deterrent

1820–30; < Latin dēterrent- (stem of dēterrēns), present participle of dēterrēre. See deter, -ent

OTHER WORDS FROM deterrent

de·ter·rent·ly, adverbnon·de·ter·rent, adjective

Words nearby deterrent

determine, determined, determiner, determinism, deterrence, deterrent, detersive, detest, detestable, detestation, dethatch
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Words related to deterrent

hindrance, obstacle, disincentive, shackle, preventative, leash, defense, bridle, rein, curb, discouragement, determent, check, preventive

Example sentences from the Web for deterrent

British Dictionary definitions for deterrent

deterrent
/ (dɪˈtɛrənt) /

noun

something that deters
a weapon or combination of weapons, esp nuclear, held by one state, etc, to deter attack by another

adjective

tending or used to deter; restraining

Derived forms of deterrent

deterrence, noun

Word Origin for deterrent

C19: from Latin dēterrēns hindering; see deter
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012