deter

[ dih-tur ]

/ dɪˈtɜr /

verb (used with object), de·terred, de·ter·ring.

to discourage or restrain from acting or proceeding: The large dog deterred trespassers.

to prevent; check; arrest: timber treated with creosote to deter rot.

Words nearby deter

detent, detention, detention camp, detention centre, detention home, deter, deterge, detergency, detergent, deteriorate, deterioration

Origin of deter

1570–80; < Latin dēterrēre to prevent, hinder, equivalent to dē- de- + terrēre to frighten

OTHER WORDS FROM deter

de·ter·ment, nounde·ter·ra·ble, adjectivede·ter·ra·bil·i·ty, nounde·ter·rer, noun

un·de·ter·ra·bil·i·ty, nounun·de·ter·ra·ble, adjectiveun·de·ter·ra·bly, adverbun·de·terred, adjectiveun·de·ter·ring, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Examples from the Web for deterring

Your effect in deterring others to travel without proper consideration would be hugely significant.
An Ex-Radical's Open Letter to ISIS Fighters: Quit Now While You Can!|Maajid Nawaz|September 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
This can be a helpful guide to other nations in deterring ISIS from recruiting.
It'll Take More Than Bombs to Stop ISIS|Dean Obeidallah|September 2, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Political drift is deterring foreign investors and frightening off overseas business.
One Year Later, Libya’s Long Road Continues|Jamie Dettmer|October 22, 2012|DAILY BEAST
He said deterring Hamas anew would require “massive air strikes for some days.”
Israel Is Losing|Dan Ephron|March 23, 2011|DAILY BEAST

Deterring Hamas anew would require “massive air strikes for some days.”
Israel Is Losing|Dan Ephron|March 23, 2011|DAILY BEAST
The punishment of those who have transgressed the laws of the country, and the deterring others from crime; 2d.
Elizabeth Fry|Mrs. E. R. Pitman
But why should I waste arguments in deterring thee from thy inevitable fate?
The Pirate|Sir Walter Scott
Such a consideration would, however, have had no effect for deterring Samson from employing them.
Story of the Bible Animals|J. G. Wood
The advantages of the system thus established, were considered to be—1st, Its deterring effects.
About London|J. Ewing Ritchie
Rumors of peonage, and a few actual cases, had also a deterring effect.
The Southern South|Albert Bushnell Hart

British Dictionary definitions for deterring

deter

/ (dɪˈtɜː) /

verb -ters, -terring or -terred

(tr) to discourage (from acting) or prevent (from occurring), usually by instilling fear, doubt, or anxiety

Derived forms of deter

determent, noun

Word Origin for deter

C16: from Latin dēterrēre, from de- + terrēre to frighten

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

deter

verb (used with object), de·terred, de·ter·ring.

Words related to deter

Words nearby deter

Origin of deter

OTHER WORDS FROM deter

Examples from the Web for deterring

British Dictionary definitions for deterring

verb -ters, -terring or -terred

Derived forms of deter

Word Origin for deter