deter

verb de·ter \ di-ˈtər , dē- \

Updated on: 21 Apr 2018

Definition of deter

deterred; deterring

transitive verb

1 : to turn aside, discourage, or prevent from acting

she would not be deterred by threats

2 : inhibit

painting to deter rust

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determent

play \-ˈtər-mənt\ noun

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deterrability

play \-ˌtər-ə-ˈbi-lə-tē\ noun

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deterrable

play \-ˈtər-ə-bəl\ adjective

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Examples of deter in a Sentence

Rick Wagoner, CEO of General Motors, the automaker in most imminent danger of failure, gave lawmakers three reasons Chapter 11 isn't an option. First, the special financing that usually tides companies over through reorganization is so scarce right now that GM might not be able to get enough to keep functioning. Second, the stigma of bankruptcy would deter consumers from buying GM cars. Third, GM is already in the midst of a dramatic reorganization that will pave the way to a profitable future. —Justin Fox, Time, 1 Dec. 2008
For some species that deter attack by being poisonous, the goal of their physical appearance is not to hide or confuse other forest creatures, but to be noticed. —Candice Millard, The River of Doubt, 2005
Originally developed to monitor and track cattle, radio frequency identification (RFID) is now the cutting edge in merchandise, parcel, and baggage tracking. It's debuting in stores and libraries across the country as the most effective way to track inventory and deter theft without making consumers feel like they're in a war zone. —Athan Bezaaitis, PC Magazine, January 2000
None of these tribulations deterred spectators in the least. The ancient Olympics remained immensely popular, the greatest recurring event in antiquity, from 776 b.c. (when Hercules himself was said to have founded them) until a ban on pagan festivals by Christian emperor Theodosius I in the fourth century a.d. ensured their demise—a spectacular thousand-year run. —Leigh Steinberg, Civilization, June/July 2000
Some potential buyers will be deterred by the price.
Painting the metal will deter rust.

Recent Examples of deter from the Web

It was about limited, targeted, and effective strike that sought to alleviate the humanitarian suffering of the Syrian people by degrading the Syrian regime's chemical weapons capability and deterring their use.

— Fox News, "US and allies defend strikes on Assad's chemical facilities," 17 Apr. 2018
British Prime Minister Theresa May on Monday vehemently defended her decision to authorize airstrikes against the Syrian government, saying the action was both morally and legally justified to deter the use of chemical weapons.

— christina boyle, latimes.com, "Facing a skeptical Parliament, Britain's Theresa May defends her decision to join in Syria attack," 17 Apr. 2018
The strikes themselves were not about regime change or forcing Assad to negotiate, but about deterring the use of chemical weapons by the Assad regime, which remains free to kill Syrians with conventional methods.

— tim lister, CNN, "After the Syria strikes, is there any chance for diplomacy?," 15 Apr. 2018
President Trump said the strikes were intended to deter the use of chemical weapons like the attack on civilians in the Syrian town of Douma last week.

— editors, USA TODAY, "Syria conflict, NBA Playoffs and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: 5 things you need to know this weekend," 14 Apr. 2018
Trump said the strikes were intended to deter the use of chemical weapons like the attack on civilians in the Syrian town of Douma last week.

— carl weiser, Cincinnati.com, "Two local Republican Congressmen question Trump's authority to strike Syria," 14 Apr. 2018
These signs of fracturing in the Trump coalition were triggered by a limited strike specifically aimed at deterring the use of chemical weapons in Syria and worldwide.

— david z. morris, Fortune, "Prominent Trump Supporters Skeptical, Uncertain, and 'Sick' as Syria Attack Undermines Isolationist Promises," 14 Apr. 2018
Kone said this is because pet companionship is a way to deter loneliness in seniors, especially the homebound.

— elizabeth marie himchak, Pomerado News, "Meals on Wheels volunteers help feed shut-ins' bodies and souls," 5 Apr. 2018
Still, that didn’t deter Lal from showing up every day to the off-season program and working with the rest of his teammates.

— drew davison, star-telegram, "Dallas Cowboys say Sanjay Lal's coaching style is a good fit for receivers | Fort Worth Star-Telegram," 4 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'deter.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

The Fearful History of deter

The word deter is rooted in fear. It was borrowed into English around the mid-16th century from the Latin verb deterrēre, which in turn was formed by combining de-, meaning "from" or "away," with terrēre, meaning "to frighten." Terrēre is also the source of terror, terrible, and even terrific, which originally meant "very bad" or "frightful." These days, you may be deterred by something that frightens you or by something that simply causes you to think about the difficult or unpleasant consequences of continuing. The word can also mean "to inhibit," as in "painting to deter rust."