deterrentnoun [ C ]
uk/dɪˈter.ənt/us/dɪˈter.ənt/C2 something that deters people from doing something:
a nuclear deterrent
Tougher prison sentences may act/serve as a deterrent to other would-be offenders.
More examples
- Some people say that capital punishment acts as a deterrent.
- Drink-driving is one case where severe punishment seems to work as a deterrent.
- I should think the smell of her breath must act as a deterrent to any man.
- They executed him, as a deterrent to any other young soldiers thinking of trying to desert from the army.
- As a deterrent, they have imposed a heavy fine for late payment.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Preventing and impeding
- avert
- avoid
- avoidable
- bar
- be a drag on sb/sth idiom
- block sth out
- blot
- bottleneck
- derail
- fireproof
- hold out on sb
- hold sb/sth back
- holding pattern
- impede
- impedimenta
- prevention is better than cure idiom
- preventive
- prohibit
- pull
- pull the rug from under sb's feet idiom
See more results »
You can also find related words, phrases, and synonyms in the topics:
Discouraging and putting off
deterrent
adjective ukus
a deterrent effect