deterrence
noun
de·ter·rence
di-ˈtər-ən(t)s 
-ˈter-
-ˈter-
-ˈtə-rən(t)s,
-ˈte-;
dē-
: the act or process of deterring: such as
a
: the inhibition of criminal behavior by fear especially of punishment
b
: the maintenance of military power for the purpose of discouraging attack
nuclear deterrence
Examples of deterrence in a Sentence
The author argues that deterrence is no longer the best way to prevent war.
Recent Examples on the Web
Thus did Trump celebrate his willingness to squander the deterrence that has kept the peace for decades, and instead to abandon allies to the tender mercies of Vladimir Putin, who just bombed a children’s hospital in Ukraine.
—
Dana Milbank, Washington Post, 12 July 2024
As the dissenters in the immunity case emphasized, giving a President immunity for official acts largely removes that deterrence to abuse official power.
—Jeannie Suk Gersen, The New Yorker, 12 July 2024
Bad drivers must be ticketed and fined for there to be a deterrence to making poor choices on the state’s roadways.
—Letters To The Editor, Hartford Courant, 10 July 2024
The next president will need the support and help of the U.S. body politic, the American people, and our allies to carry the burden of Western democracy forward, sustain and boost deterrence, and avoid a major global conflict.
—Aron Solomon, Newsweek, 9 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for deterrence 
Dana Milbank, Washington Post, 12 July 2024
As the dissenters in the immunity case emphasized, giving a President immunity for official acts largely removes that deterrence to abuse official power.
—Jeannie Suk Gersen, The New Yorker, 12 July 2024
Bad drivers must be ticketed and fined for there to be a deterrence to making poor choices on the state’s roadways.
—Letters To The Editor, Hartford Courant, 10 July 2024
The next president will need the support and help of the U.S. body politic, the American people, and our allies to carry the burden of Western democracy forward, sustain and boost deterrence, and avoid a major global conflict.
—Aron Solomon, Newsweek, 9 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for deterrence
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'deterrence.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Deterrence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deterrence. Accessed 26 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
deterrence
noun
de·ter·rence
di-ˈtər-ən(t)s
-ˈter-
-ˈter-
: the act, process, or capability of deterring
Legal Definition
deterrence
noun
de·ter·rence
di-ˈtər-əns, -ˈter-
: the inhibition of criminal behavior by fear especially of punishment
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