as in to dissuade
to steer (a person) from an activity or course of action
we tried to deter him from his crazy scheme, but to no avail
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of deter
In addition, immigration arrests at the courthouse have drawn criticism from many immigration advocates and local officials, who fear the tactic deters people from showing up for court.
—
David Clarey, jsonline.com, 4 Nov. 2025
Speaking to reporters Tuesday, New Jersey Democratic gubernatorial candidate Mikie Sherrill said the threats wouldn't deter voters.
—Lucien Bruggeman, ABC News, 4 Nov. 2025
The world’s major democracies must work more closely together and share the burden of deterring war with China.
—Eyck Freymann, Time, 4 Nov. 2025
The heels’ height did not deter the athlete from effortlessly and energetically dancing down the tunnel.
—Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 4 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deter
David Clarey, jsonline.com, 4 Nov. 2025
Speaking to reporters Tuesday, New Jersey Democratic gubernatorial candidate Mikie Sherrill said the threats wouldn't deter voters.
—Lucien Bruggeman, ABC News, 4 Nov. 2025
The world’s major democracies must work more closely together and share the burden of deterring war with China.
—Eyck Freymann, Time, 4 Nov. 2025
The heels’ height did not deter the athlete from effortlessly and energetically dancing down the tunnel.
—Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 4 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deter
Verb
-
The first vehicle to bear the Beast name was destroyed in a fire in the early 1970s, but Dodd wouldn’t let that dissuade him.—
Bryan Hood,
Robb Report,
10 Nov. 2025
-
Prosecutors said a Reno man was indicted for two counts of making criminal threats and two counts of attempting to dissuade a witness.—
Rosalio Ahumada,
Sacbee.com,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Chiefly, many doctors say the label is largely responsible for stigmatizing hormone therapy and discouraging many women from taking it and doctors from prescribing it.—
Helen Carefoot,
Flow Space,
10 Nov. 2025
-
His father, Troy Adams, a driving coach and former NASCAR driver, had briefly discouraged the idea of becoming a race car driver, knowing the expense would be a factor, but soon came around.—
Eric D. Lawrence,
USA Today,
9 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Deter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deter. Accessed 29 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share