as in obstacle
something that makes movement or progress difficult
the homeowner put up a fence around his garden as a deterrent for animals
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in preventive
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of deterrent
Andy J. Semotiuk, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025
Arrests in court will create a deterrent effect on individuals appearing for their court hearings, 90% of individuals placed in removal proceedings attend their hearings, these actions will continue to cause harm, confusion, and are not the way our government should act.
—Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 June 2025
New Atlas, 21 Sep. 2025
While cockroaches are nocturnal and are most active at night, keeping lights on is not a deterrent.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 18 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deterrent
Noun
Allowing China and Russia entry would strengthen other autocratic regimes, reducing the deterrent influence of democratic alliances.
—Andy J. Semotiuk, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025
Arrests in court will create a deterrent effect on individuals appearing for their court hearings, 90% of individuals placed in removal proceedings attend their hearings, these actions will continue to cause harm, confusion, and are not the way our government should act.
—Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 June 2025
Adjective
This marks a major acceleration of the testing program for the bomber that will work alongside and eventually replace the Air Force's fleet of B-1B, B-2, and B-52 bombers that form the airborne leg of the US nuclear deterrent force.
—New Atlas, 21 Sep. 2025
While cockroaches are nocturnal and are most active at night, keeping lights on is not a deterrent.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 18 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deterrent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deterrent
Noun
-
This small but mighty cleaner has dual side brushes, multiple cleaning modes, and obstacle-avoidance technology.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
6 Oct. 2025
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Yet despite these obstacles, Pita’s voice has only grown louder, emerging as a leading figure in the global conversation on democracy and reform.—
Liz Shackleton,
Deadline,
6 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Childhood is a critical window for preventive services and routine checkups that build the foundation for lifelong health.—
Jasmine Laws,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
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Knowing the results can help guide screening decisions, preventive measures, or treatment options.—
Emily Kay Votruba,
EverydayHealth.com,
2 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The award had stock price hurdles of $350 and $400 and Clarke got no long-term equity grants in 2020, 2022, and 2023.—
Amanda Gerut,
Fortune,
5 Oct. 2025
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Ren also noted practical hurdles.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Its propulsion system uses non-toxic materials, which allows soldiers to handle it safely without protective gear immediately after touchdown.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
4 Oct. 2025
-
Sam Johnson had decided to end a successful spray deodorant product line because the propellant in the cans used chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), the chemical compound harming the protective ozone layer in the earth's atmosphere.—
Jeff Young,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The proposal of a drone wall, which is particularly supported by Baltic and Eastern European states, is intended as both a deterrence and defensive barrier, as well as a way to pool resources to bolster Europe’s collective defense.—
Holly Ellyatt,
CNBC,
1 Oct. 2025
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Prospective vehicle buyers consistently rate a lack of charging infrastructure as a key barrier to entry for EV adoption.—
Eileen Falkenberg-Hull,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Chelsea centre-back Benoit Badiashile tried to drag him to his feet, prompting a fracas with Van Hecke’s defensive partner, Lewis Dunk, and several other players from both teams, which ended with bookings for the trio.—
Andy Naylor,
New York Times,
6 Oct. 2025
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While the run defense has improved this season with the addition of Kenny Clark at defensive tackle, there are still some warts for a unit that entered the game 19th in the NFL in rush yards allowed.—
Nick Harris,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
5 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Last month, a grand jury voted to indict Comey on two charges of making a false statement to Congress and obstruction, while rejecting an additional false statements count sought by Halligan.—
Katherine Faulders,
ABC News,
6 Oct. 2025
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The latest arrests by Illinois State Police involved charges of resisting and obstruction.—
Greg Wehner , Bill Melugin , Matt Finn , Michael Tobin,
FOXNews.com,
5 Oct. 2025
Noun
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There are more costs — to say nothing of further public embarrassment — to consider.—
Sean Gentille,
New York Times,
2 Oct. 2025
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During reunion weekend, former editors and writers also like to see their youthful work through a lens of nostalgia, (sometimes) embarrassment, and joy.—
Joshua Finnell,
JSTOR Daily,
1 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Deterrent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deterrent. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.
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