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

European forces in Ukraine would also mirror the deterrent effect of U.S. combat forces in South Korea. —Stephen Hadley, Foreign Affairs, 7 Mar. 2025

Even if Russia ends up occupying eastern Ukraine, the cost of this limited victory will have a deterrent effect on Russian President Vladimir Putin. —Colin Pascal, Baltimore Sun, 23 Jan. 2025

Supporters of Proposition 313, referred to voters by the Legislature, argued that discretion in sentencing leads to shorter prison terms and that life sentences would have a deterrent effect. —Miguel Torres, The Arizona Republic, 5 Nov. 2024

The deterrent effect of these policies has proved difficult to measure and appears to have been quite limited. —Julia Preston, Foreign Affairs, 25 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin deterrent-, deterrens, present participle of deterrēre to deter

First Known Use

1829, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

deterrent

adjective

de·​ter·​rent di-ˈtər-ənt 

-ˈter-

: able or acting to deter

deterrent noun