deterrent

American  

[dih-tur-uhnt, -tuhr-, -ter-] / dɪˈtɜr ənt, -ˈtʌr-, -ˈtɛr- /

adjective

1. serving or tending to deter.

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noun

1. something that prevents, checks, or suppresses.

   a deterrent to crime.

2. something that repels.

   Our lemongrass-based bug deterrent is natural, safe, and effective.

   Synonyms:

   hindrance, check, curb, restraint

3. military strength or an ability to defend a country or retaliate strongly enough to deter an enemy from attacking.

deterrent British  

/ dɪˈtɛrənt /

noun

1. something that deters

2. a weapon or combination of weapons, esp nuclear, held by one state, etc, to deter attack by another

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adjective

1. tending or used to deter; restraining

Other Word Forms

• deterrence noun
• deterrently adverb
• nondeterrent adjective

Etymology

Origin of deterrent

First recorded in 1820–30; from Latin dēterrent- (stem of dēterrēns ), present participle of dēterrēre; deter, -ent

Example Sentences

Swift and effective prosecution can be a much stronger deterrent to misconduct than regulations that aim to prevent misconduct but rarely do.

From The Wall Street Journal

While he has conveyed how serious his Chinese counterpart is about the issue, he has also suggested that his personal relationship with Xi acts as a temporary deterrent.

From The Wall Street Journal

Can the U.S. pivot from a military deterrent to a more integrated strategy?

From The Wall Street Journal

The group is part of an international contingent training together, working on deterrents and protecting Poland's frontier with Russia and Belarus.

From BBC

Iran has long cultivated militia allies across the Middle East as a way to project power and as a deterrent against attack.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• disincentive
• hindrance
• obstacle