deterrent
Americanadjective
noun
-
something that prevents, checks, or suppresses.
a deterrent to crime.
-
something that repels.
Our lemongrass-based bug deterrent is natural, safe, and effective.
-
military strength or an ability to defend a country or retaliate strongly enough to deter an enemy from attacking.
noun
-
something that deters
-
a weapon or combination of weapons, esp nuclear, held by one state, etc, to deter attack by another
adjective
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of deterrent
First recorded in 1820–30; from Latin dēterrent- (stem of dēterrēns ), present participle of dēterrēre; see origin at deter, -ent
Explanation
A deterrent makes you not want to do something. Let's say there's a giant pile of cookies being guarded by an angry dog — the dog is a deterrent. People talk about deterrents most often when discussing crime. The death penalty is supposed to be a deterrent — the idea is that people will be so scared of the death penalty that they won't commit certain crimes. Jail is another deterrent. Teachers also use deterrents — the possibility of getting detention is a deterrent that should encourage students to behave. A deterrent is the opposite of a reward. A reward encourages you to do the right thing, while a deterrent discourages you from doing the wrong thing.
Vocabulary lists containing deterrent
The Book Thief
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
"The Hunger Games" Vocabulary from Chapter 1
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
This Week in Words: April 14 - 20, 2018
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
It is hoped that conceding a corner which could lead to conceding a goal is a more effective deterrent.
From BBC • Jun. 10, 2026
Kim’s nuclear program thus far has proven to be a deterrent against military attacks or attempts to forcibly unseat him from power, enabling him to shift his focus to the economy.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 8, 2026
Berlin hopes the decision removes an irritant with Paris as they extend France’s nuclear deterrent to other European countries.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 8, 2026
"The policy of continuously strengthening the country's self-defensive nuclear deterrent, as set out by the nation's leader, is an irreversible course that must be implemented without fail," she added.
From Barron's • Jun. 7, 2026
And because the death penalty is rarely given for crimes other than homicide, its deterrent effect cannot account for a speck of decline in other violent crimes.
From "Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything" by Steven D. Levitt
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.
