deter

verb

de·​ter di-ˈtər How to pronounce deter (audio)
dē-
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
determent noun
deterrability noun
deterrable adjective

Did you know?

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. Things, as well as people, can be deterred: the word can also mean "to stop or limit something," as in "policies that aim to deter vandalism."

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 on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
However, some professionals consulted as part of the analysis expressed concern that 18 was too young to receive such a generous basic income, and that this could deter them from pursuing employment. Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 July 2025 The opposition parties' actions sparked concerns among some Taiwanese about the island's democratic integrity and its ability to deter Chinese military threats, leading to the recall campaigns. Arkansas Online, 27 July 2025 Strong, thick spines shade the plant from sunlight, ward off drying winds, and deter destructive animals. The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 25 July 2025 With that influence comes the responsibility to design systems that reinforce transparency, deter misconduct and sustain public trust. Rahul Bhatia, Forbes.com, 24 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for deter

Word History

Etymology

Latin deterrēre, from de- + terrēre to frighten — more at terror

First Known Use

circa 1547, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of deter was circa 1547

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Cite this Entry

“Deter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deter. Accessed 31 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

deter

verb
de·​ter di-ˈtər How to pronounce deter (audio)
deterred; deterring
1
: to turn aside, discourage, or prevent from acting
wasn't deterred by the threats
2
: inhibit sense 2
painting to deter rust
determent noun

More from Merriam-Webster on deter

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