definitions
  • synonyms

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.

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RELATED WORDS

hinder, prevent, discourage, avert, prohibit, intimidate, frighten, preclude, stop, daunt, impede, forestall, dissuade, restrain, obstruct, scare, block, dampen, debar, cool

Nearby words

detente, 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
Related forms
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for deters

British Dictionary definitions for deters

deter

/ (dɪˈtɜː) /

verb -ters, -terring or -terred

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

Word Origin and History for deters

deter

v.

1570s, from Latin deterrere "to frighten from, discourage from," from de- "away" (see de-) + terrere "frighten" (see terrible). Deterrent is from 1829.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper