deterrent
adjective
de·ter·rent
di-ˈtər-ənt 
-ˈter-;
-ˈtə-rənt,
-ˈte-;
dē-
1
: serving to discourage, prevent, or inhibit : serving to deter
The ads had a deterrent effect on youth smoking.
2
: relating to deterrence
a deterrent view of punishment
deterrent
noun
deterrently
adverb
Examples of deterrent in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
This team has neither a point-of-attack defense on the perimeter nor a true deterrent interior presence.
—
Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 27 Nov. 2025
And it was confronted with the deterrent actions of the government.
—Tom O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Nov. 2025
Reuters reported last week that the fine would be modest, marking a change in Ribera’s approach with her predecessor’s deterrent hefty fines.
—David Goldman, CNN Money, 5 Sep. 2025
But the real value of such a treaty is its deterrent effect, discouraging countries from developing such weapons.
—Liyam Chitayat, Foreign Affairs, 28 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deterrent
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Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 27 Nov. 2025
And it was confronted with the deterrent actions of the government.
—Tom O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Nov. 2025
Reuters reported last week that the fine would be modest, marking a change in Ribera’s approach with her predecessor’s deterrent hefty fines.
—David Goldman, CNN Money, 5 Sep. 2025
But the real value of such a treaty is its deterrent effect, discouraging countries from developing such weapons.
—Liyam Chitayat, Foreign Affairs, 28 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deterrent
Cite this Entry
“Deterrent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deterrent. Accessed 30 Dec. 2025.
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